Hi!!

Long time no talk but I didn’t get home last night until late and I promptly passed out! Here’s a little recap of the past day!

Yesterday I went to my office, aka Starbucks, and enjoyed another lovely nonfat pumpkin spice latte while writing a True/Slant article on ways to prevent the flu!

For some reason I always am more productive when I work there instead of at my house. I feel like I’m back in college again!

Once home, I dug into a kiwi like it was an apple!

Yes, I do eat the skin of kiwi and I like it! Very fibrous and chewy. Plus, it saves time peeling and slicing.

And then around 6:15, Stacey picked me up for the Created bible study. Guys, I didn’t take pictures of dinner because it seemed like whipping out my camera at such a time was just not appropriate. I hope you can understand! I enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal of homemade chicken tortilla soup with cheddar cheese and those yummy scoops tortilla chips! One of the women also made strawberry shortcake for dessert and it was just wonderful!

The actual study was very…….powerful and REAL. I had a really, really powerful and emotional night and know it was absolutely the right decision that I was there and I plan to go back. Created is a ministry designated to helping these women off the streets, women with addictions, women just getting out of jail, get back on their feet and function again in society, knowing that their true beauty has been “created” in Christ. When they live in the Created house, they have to have been clean for 30 days and want to accept Christ into their hearts to start their lives over. Last night I had the privilege of hanging out with these amazingly strong women and let’s just say it puts a lot of things in perspective. After dinner we studied a passage in Phillipians and talked about different connections we have with people and how this relates back to God. Being in a room with such strong women filled with love is just an empowering experience and totally brought me to my knees.

Afterwards, Stacey and I went out for a glass of wine to chat more. I had a lovely glass of California pinot noir…my fave!

And then this morning………………..da da da DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I RAN 7 MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I totally took this picture just to remind myself that I actually did it!)

To start: I really did NOT want to run this morning. I didn’t fall asleep until around midnight and when the alarm went off at 5:30 I reallyyyyy wanted to turn it off and roll back over. So I did. For 30 minutes. I finally arose at 6:00, had a slice of Ezekiel bread with almond butter, preserves and half a banana, and got to taping up my feet. I just want to say that my blisters really have healed! As we all know, blisters mean we have to toughen up and callous our skin so the rubbing of shoes doesn’t affect us anymore. The blisters on my heels were really okay….the one on my sole of my foot sort of hurt but it really wasn’t that big of a deal. The doctor gave me this AWESOME product last week and it totally saved my life!

I wish I could tell you where to buy these reusable gelly pads but I think you can only get them from a doctor. They are amazing! I had to cut them and cover them with moleskin and medical tape (so they wouldn’t shift around), but they really did save my life. I only had to stop once and do a little emergency band-aid surgery at my half-way point and apply another blister pad to the sole of my foot. Note to self: always take band-aids with you on long runs!

I think I finished in pretty good time considering I did stop and sit down on the side of the road at one point to fix my blister pads. I also walked a few times. My shins started aching near the end and when I got home I immediately stretched and iced like it was my job. I actually got really hungry around mile 6 and wished I would have brought a shot block or something but I just sipped my gatorade and pressed onward. Next time!

And then I ATE!!

This is a pineapple Chobani with 1/2 cup Almond Ezekiel cereal, 1/4 cup Udi’s granola, goji berries and blueberries. I INHALED it.

I’m still a little behind in my training because I had to take the past two weeks off really due to blisters but I think I’m going to be okay. This coming up week I’m going to do HILLS and then have an 8 mile run planned for next Saturday. I can’t believe my race is next month!!!!!

On the agenda today is college football with my dad!!!! My two favorite teams are playing—Ohio State and BAMA!!!! I love Saturdays in the fall for this specific reason. Nothing better than relaxing on the couch in jeans and a t-shirt and watching college football. Okay…so I’m secretly a guy….except instead of nachos and dips, I prefer raw almonds and green smoothies.

Time for a snack!

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 63 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Breakfast, cardio, dessert, Dinner, Exercise, friends, musings, out, Snack, starbucks

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

So yeah……….PUMPKIN!!!!!!!!

I think like 750 of you love, love, love pumpkin the fall and that’s totally awesome. I am just loving reading all your responses for the giveaway! Remember, you have two more hours (or actually, a little less!) so leave me a message on my morning post with your favorite fall/winter veggie and you will be entered to win a copy of Clean Food. I’ll announce the winner in my breakfast post tomorrow!

I hope y’all have had great days. I’ve sort of been up and down…going to my brother’s school was difficult….for me, grief comes in waves and I heard some news I didn’t really want to hear, which was difficult. However, a pumpkin spice latte (and new library book!) was exactly what the doctor ordered!

This is The Tsarina’s Daughter by Carolly Erickson. Call me crazy, but I have this weird fascination with the Russian Revolution. I wrote a really long term paper on it in college and read about it like its going out of style. Strange, but true. I hold this insane theory that the royal family never really all died and that there’s some mystery still out there to be discovered. I’m a total history nerd like that though. Don’t get me started on the World Wars….I’ll talk your ear off for hours.

Anyways! When I got home from running errands I made some 100 cal kettle corn

I was so excited to break into THIS for dinner!

Yes, I ate potatoes from a bag and totally loved them. The lovely Lia sent me these “Swiss hash browns” straight from the Alps and, as we all know, everything is better in Europe so of course these potatoes rocked my socks off!!!!!! We also had that delish maple blueberry chicken I told you about and a small salad with hummus and hot sauce!

I know y’all want the recipe but unfortunately it’s straight out of The Maple Syrup Cookbook!!!! I can’t reproduce it on the blog because of copyright issues but know that it is awesome and utilizes tons of pure maple syrup, a pint of fresh blueberries and a whole CUP of red wine! So, so, so good….I stuffed myself silly with goodness and washed it all down with MORE red wine!

Dessert was an unphotographed amount of Swiss dark chocolate. Wow, I’ve totally had a Swiss night! Thank you so much, Lia!!

Bubble bath + book + my bed

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 58 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: dessert, Dinner, Snack, starbucks

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Hi!

I had a pretty productive afternoon and even got time to roam around Barnes and Noble, one of my favorite Sunday afternoon activities. I enjoyed a lovely nonfat Awake Tea Latte while getting some writing done—

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are only two days away!!!!!!! Its not Fall until you enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte, so don’t you think for a second I won’t be at Starbucks early on Tuesday morning to get mine! In the meantime, Awake Tea Lattes are a nice treat.

I love Sundays, don’t you? I just feel like going off on a tangent for a second here to gush about this day of the week. This evening around 5:30 I poured myself a nice glass of Murphy-Goode Liar’s Dice zinfandel and chatted on the phone for an hour with an old friend. Love that.

Anyways, I made a classic Jenna meal for dinner:

I pressed and then rubbed some tofu with a mix of canola oil (out of sesame oil!), rice wine vinegar, tamari, cayenne, sea salt, garlic powder and pure maple syrup. Then, I baked the thin slices at 400 for 15 minutes on each side. They turned out perfect as usual….golden brown, spicy and delightfully chewy. I haven’t been eating enough tofu lately…I need to start!

On the side I threw together some Mediterranean quinoa! This was very easy and delicious. I cooked quinoa with water and a pinch of sea salt and then when it was done and fluffy, I stirred in some feta, diced tomatoes (drained), oregano and calamata olive slices. It.was.so.good. Seriously…the hit of the meal—my dad loved it!

Green beans on the side!

Oh, and a coconut milk ice cream sandwich for dessert

My mood has pulled a total 180 throughout the course of the day. I mean, obviously I’m bummed I can’t run for a few days but I’m also so thankful that I CAN run to begin with. I’m running this race in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and whenever I’m feeling down about my training and injuries, I just think of the real reason why I’m doing this and it puts it all into perspective. A lot of chemo patients would kill for the chance for an early morning run, whether its 2 miles or 8 miles. Some days are challenging but I know it will all work out in the end.

Finishing up a couple more looming freelance deadlines then reading more of James.

G’nite! Got a special post in the morning for y’all!!

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 48 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: dessert, Dinner, musings, Snack, starbucks, tea

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Good evening!

I hope everyone had a fairly productive Monday. I honestly cannot fathom that last week at this time I was here (although why I ever thought it was a good idea to wear a white shirt wine tasting, I still don’t know and I still have the stains to prove it….)

(...)
Read the rest of Daydreams (369 words)

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 55 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: dessert, dinner by mom, family, friends, musings, Snack, starbucks, traveling, wine

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Still foggy? You betcha.

Now I rarely have days like today where I just can’t seem to snap out of it! For the most part I like to think I have tons of energy and am on my A-game, but every once in a blue moon my body gently reminds me to quit going 90 miles an hour and take care of it! The post-power yoga soreness is definitely a factor as well as the awful stormy weather we are having. Regardless, I decided today will a 100% total rest day. The LAST thing I need is to get sick just in time for my trip next weekend! I’d rather lay low now and be 100%.

My mom actually gave me the best advice of the day when she came over this afternoon and I told her how I felt and she said (in a very mom voice), “Jennifer, if you feel that tired, lay down and rest! Your body is screaming at you and trying to get the point across!” Moms are always right.

This morning while running “errands” (cough cough totally DONE shopping now) I grabbed a tall soy Awake tea latte. Tasted dandy but didn’t wake this slug up!

And then for lunch, I met the lovely Anne at one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall joints, Cafe Hey!

This is the “T’Ank” sandwich (??) and consists of a whole wheat wrap stuffed with avocado, veggies, hummus, pepperjack cheese and yellow mustard….all pressed on the grill so its nice, hot and gooey. Can you get any better?! I think not.

My mom came to the apartment so I could give her a fashion show for my interview clothes and now I’m just being a total lazy bum sitting on the couch while it pours outside. Still need to do some writing though. Homemade pizza is tentatively on the menu for tonight. The tentative part is whether I want to venture out in the storm to get the pizza sauce I forgot to buy the other day. Boo.

What do you do when you just feel exhausted and want to rest?

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 67 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: friends, Lunch, lunch out, starbucks, tea

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

I’m blogging from 35,000 feet in the air!

As I type, we are currently on route to Cincinatti and from there Milwaukee. I’m sandwiched in between my parents and since Ryan was sort of “late” in getting his flight, he actually lucked out and got a non-stop flight. This morning the alarm went off at 6 and we waited until all three alarms were dinging that we set. I felt like my eyes were glued shut! There wasn’t much time but I still managed to get something substantial in my tummy before heading out the door.

a banana with raw almond butter and unsweetened almond milk with chocolate Amazing Meal. I have to admit, I think all Amazing Grass products are best when mixed in a smoothie or at least sweetened vanilla almond milk, but this wasn’t too bad. It tasted like unsweetened chocolate milk and I instantly had a surge of energy. However I didn’t get to finish it in time and had to leave the rest in the car because we were at the airport without a second to spare. Once at the airport, I waited in the ridiculously long Starbucks line to get a double Awake tea. Booyah!

Now I have to say, I think I’m a pretty good traveler. I like to plan ahead and always bring a plethora of snacks because you never know what could happen! I brought two baggies for this trip:

We’ve got SuperFood, teas, almonds and bars. I love bringing teas, especially on airplanes because all you have to do is ask for a cup of hot water. Much better than getting a soda during beverage service, I’d say!

When we got to Cinci to change plans I was quite hungry—Starbucks oatmeal was perfect!

My dad got a chocolate banana vivanno and I tasted it—–woah, it was SO good! I wish they could make it with soymilk though rather than 2% milk. Starbucks, you should really market a vegan vivanno!

I was a much happier camper once I had eaten…..I was seriously starting to feel FAINT!

Wisconsin winters a bit too harsh for me but summers are absolutely gorgeous. Here are in my grandparent’s back yard. The weather was so nice!

After lunch we drove the 90 miles over to Madison (my grandparents are headed over in the morning). I shut my eyes for a brief second….

Then dove into a Greens bar! Its going to be a long night—gotta keep my energy up!

Just now got into the hotel and we both are POOPED. I’m sort of mad, too, that I had to pay $30 for internet. All hotel rooms should come with that included, no?! Ryan has totally crashed on the bed but I’m about to get him up to either go take a walk or exercise before dinner at 6:00.

We are going here for the rehearsal dinner tonight—I hear good things! Being the history buff I am, I am just excited that it is 150 years old!

Last time I was in Wisconsin it was SNOWING!! It was also the very first time I blogged!

Stay tuned for Madison Part II

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 51 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Breakfast, musings, starbucks, tea, traveling

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

We made it! Did you miss me?! I missed you guys! Its funny how much of routine you get into with blogging. If you miss one time you just feel like something is “off”.

Yesterday afternoon I was really craving a good steam since I missed the gym in the morning. I felt sort of odd just going to the gym to use the locker room so I justified myself by walking 40 minutes on the treadmill first. It was good to get up and moving anyways since I sat in the car all afternoon!

When I got home I immediately dug into a homemade granola bar straight out of the freezer. Mmmmmmmm

Ryan actually got home pretty early from work so we were able to leave on time. When I whipped out a jar of Peanut Butter & Co Cinnamon Raisin pb for just a little “lick” during the trip, he gave me the strangest look ever. Who brings an entire jar of peanut butter for a three hour road trip?! He asked. Well obviously you can’t leave the house without the essentials. You never know when a jar of pb will come in handy! I always bring LOTS of snacks wherever I go (especially when I travel) because Jenna is NOT a nice girl when she is hungry. I don’t take chances with traffic and road trips. Better to be safe than sorry!

You know you are getting close when you pass Yeehaw junction! Jake Owen totally wrote a song about Yeehaw and I love it.

We got into Vero around 7:30 and made a beeline for Christie’s house. As we made it through the city lines we came across a rainbow!

Of course Betty had made a phenomenal appetizer of mediterranean baked brie with pesto, tomatoes, pine nuts and parmesan. SO good! I had a few crackers with brie and also some grapes that she set out as well.

And then for dinner there was grilled salmon with a caper cream sauce, grilled asparagus with parmesan, rice casserole, tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, feta, balsamic and evoo.

But what was dinner without a restaurant quality dessert? Key Lime “cups” with fresh berries. Yep, ate all that too.

Needless to say, I was totally stuffed to the gills after all this great food (+ 2 glasses of pinot noir). We came back to our guest cabanas and promptly passed out.

And then this morning Ryan and I met my parents for breakfast at the club. I really love this place, hence why I did my culinary school externship here!

A cup of Tazo Awake tea was very, very necessary

And my ratatouille wrap was soooooooo good. I ordered it “wrapless” with an english muffin on the side. Lots of fresh veggies mixed with fresh mozzarella cheese and two scrambled eggs (I ordered whole eggs, not whites). I covered everything in ketchup, obvi.

Can’t you see how much I hated it??!

The Paddle Out went as well as it could possibly go. Scattering your brother’s ashes into the ocean is something you never, ever would want to do but there was just so much love in that group today, it was unbelievable. Of course I was really worried about the weather because the report said 60% chance of rain and when I woke up this morning the skies were cloudy and dark. However, once we got to the beach the sun came out and what was just glass, became actual waves.

About 50 people showed up….I was super impressed with all of John’s amazing friends who woke up at 7 am on a Saturday morning to drive across the state for this. Its not every day that an 18 year old wakes up at 6:30 on a Saturday. It was very touching! It was also very cool to see the “east coast boys meet the west coast boys” since John’s friends from both coasts came together for the ceremony. We all got in a circle standing in the water while my dad said a prayer and then all of us “surfers” (hah) paddled out a little ways and formed our own circle so we could each scatter some of John’s ashes and each say a little something. I laughed hysterically because Gaston, one of John’s best friends, accidentally dropped the box of ashes into the water when it was his turn and for a second everyone went totally silent and he was like “oh crap”. Then we all started to laugh and I know John was laughing from up above because how could you not? It was such a funny Meet the Parents moment but poor Gaston felt horrible.

We all stayed at the beach for about two hours and let me just tell you, surfing (or attempting to surf) is a workout! You have to be strong to paddle out so much and I could feel my triceps and back really working. Now I know how all those surfers are so ripped! I was pretty proud of myself because as much as I totally fell, I actually caught ONE wave and was able to stand up and ride it in. I’ve never done that before, even when John taught me to surf several summers ago, and the high you feel as you are on that wave is just amazing.

Yep, I think I’ve caught the surfing bug!! Ryan has surfed Costa and Panama and I see some surfing vacations in our future someday. Now that I’ve got myself a board, a wetsuit and a surfing tattoo, I think I’m all set for Pipeline. Hah!W

When lunchtime rolled around Ryan and I grabbed lunch with all the kids at Casey’s, a local hamburger joint on the beach. It was just so great to hang out with them and they brought me John’s yearbook and his senior class shirt. To eat, I got a turkey club sandwich with no mayo and I have to say, it rocked! I haven’t had bacon since I don’t know when and it just made this sandwich complete. Perfect for post-surfing fuel I would say!

After lunch all the kids drove the 2 1/2 hours home and my parents and I took Ryan on a little tour of the neighborhood I grew up in so he could see my old house! Isn’t it crazy how fast life really goes??!!

Then it was time to head back, shower and get on the road before it was too late. I was super sad to leave….it was actually pretty emotional. I really love my hometown and being there near the ocean just makes me remember my brother so much and how much he loved it. Vero is, as they would call, a “one-horse-town” and the ONLY thing to do is surf and be at the beach. I miss the ocean so much over in Tampa—the gulf is NOT the same!!

Once on the road it was pretty much snack time so I made Ryan drive through a Starbucks on the way out of town. I got my new fav, a tall soy London Fog latte. Yum!

And had the rest of Julia’s vegan gluten-free chocolate carob cookies (there were two left). Delicious, Julia!

Now I am off to unpack and relax. A video of today is currently in the works that featured some of my many wipe outs. Battle wounds include a goose egg sized bruise on my calf from when my board smacked me after a wave and rash burn on my tummy. I’m hardcore now!

See you in the morning!!!

© Jenna for Eat, Live, Run, 2009. | Permalink | 59 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Breakfast, dessert, Dinner, friends, Lunch, lunch out, musings, road food, Snack, starbucks, tea, Travel, wine

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Hi everyone!

I’ve been a busy bee this morning. First off, the gym. I did the elliptical for 20 minutes and then resumed my treadmill walking for another 20. I was so upset when I saw the steam room wasn’t working–I had been totally banking on a nice, hot steam this morning!

After the gym I got ready for a little photo shoot I was doing this morning. No details on anything yet! It’ll come, I promise!

On the way, I grabbed what might possibly be the new love of my life: a Starbucks soy london fog latte. SO GOOD!!!!

I didn’t get home until 12:30 and threw together a quick but yummy lunch!