Mmmmm….I just went to lunch with my mom and Ryan at the Nordstrom’s cafe at our mall. It was SO GOOD!!! I ordered a half of the vegetable salad (with chopped up tomatoes, asparagus and cucumber with feta) with the dressing on the side and a small cup of the crab bisque, which is the BEST crab bisque I have ever tasted!!!! It really is so good and so indulgent. I wanted a whole bowl but decided it would be better for me to only get a cup so I could get some greens in as well 🙂 I was all set and happy with my lunch but then my mom had to go and order a side of french fries for us all to share.
Let’s get this out there: I LOVE FRENCH FRIES. I HATE fast food french fries, but I can’t resist good quality fries. And these were dusted with chopped herbs and served with a kalamata olive dipping sauce. Basically, it was heaven on earth and I did eat my fair share. Maybe half? I don’t know…my mom and I split these and we didn’t finish all of them but I def. think I ate one too many. I probably eat fries about once every 6 months though so it was fine. Once I start eating them I can’t stop! Therefore, I technically shouldn’t start. I just don’t have that kind of will power though. Does anyone?!
Ryan and I went to the gym upstairs in his apartment complex this morning and I got in a good 35 minute treadmill run. I don’t feel as bad about the fries now. Actually, I’m lying. I don’t feel bad at all. Every girl should get to eat fries once in a while! I need to get back to my own apartment NOW so I can resume my healthy eating!
Megan
January 21, 2008 at 6:26 pmThose look too good to resist!! I am so glad that you don’t feel bad, because really life is too short to feel guilt over having enjoyed eating a treat every once in a while!
Shelley
January 21, 2008 at 6:46 pmthose fries look so fancy and delicious! I agree that every girl should get to enjoy fries once in a while 🙂
arimcg
January 21, 2008 at 6:47 pmI can’t resist fries either. That and pizza are definitely my weaknesses.
mags
January 21, 2008 at 6:51 pmyour attitude towards food is so refreshing! thanks for being such a positive role model on healthy eating/living!
RH
January 21, 2008 at 8:23 pm“I’m lying. I don’t feel bad at all.” Too funny! You and ryan sound like an adorable couple- is he only 22 too! From the picture he looks older.
Krista
January 21, 2008 at 8:32 pmJenna,
just wanted to tell you that I tried out the Butterscotch Pudding from Cooking Light last night and it was really yummy!! I remember you saying you wanted to try it so it’s definetly worth it….the recipe said it would yield 6 servings and I basically cut all ingredients in half in hopes to make only 3 servings….well when all was said and done I could only measure out 2 2/3 cup servings….that means I basically consumed close to 400 calories..yikes!! Oh well it was delicious…but I don’t know how accurate the servings are in those recipes… by the way your lunch looked delicious..i love Nordstroms Cafe!!
Krista
Lauren
January 21, 2008 at 9:25 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve never posted before, but just wanted to let you know how much I love your blog! I agree with the above poster: your relationship with food is extremely refreshing, as its characterized by moderation and balance, not deprivation. Keep up the great work 🙂
jenna
January 21, 2008 at 9:36 pmRH,
Ryan is 30 🙂 I go for the older men! haha! We have been together for almost two years now….I could never date guys my age…they annoy me!
Krista,
Thanks! I do really want to try that I just keep forgetting to buy cornstarch! I love butterscotch pudding…especially homemade!
Thanks girls for calling me a role model…that means SO much!!!! I know my food hasnt been the picture of health over the past couple days but like anyone else in the real world, I do the best I can in the situation! Plus, I love food way too much to always eat perfectly clean and healthy. If my jeans still look cute on then everything is going well! 🙂
Katie
January 21, 2008 at 10:21 pmHi Jenna,
I am a newcomer to your blog, but immediately became a convert. Of all the food bloggers I have read, by far, you have the healthiest relationship with food that I have witnessed. Your response to your less than ideal eating pattern this weekend was so awe-inspiring. My goal is to move away from the obsession with perfection and the deliberating over of every single food choice/calorie that is preached by some (a practice on which I myself got stuck) and move closer to your more practical mindset, which in the end, is what “wellness” is all about. In this time of confused and disordered eating, you are a breath of fresh air. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Andrea
January 22, 2008 at 1:06 amI agree with everyone above!
Your blog is the best one I’ve seen so far and you’ve helped me so much with all your posts. I’m amazed at your commitment to the site (especially with the super-speedy replies to posts) and to living a healthy life. Thanks sooo much 🙂
jenna
January 22, 2008 at 1:10 amThanks so much guys!!! Seriously, my readers make my day! You all are the reason I keep at this and I’m glad to know it helps!!!! 🙂
Ashley
January 22, 2008 at 1:30 amI am not a big frie person but I went to red robin yesterday and they have garlic parmesan fries! and let me tell you, they were amazing! If anyone has one near them they are definitly worth the splurge!
Trina
January 22, 2008 at 3:42 pmOh Yay!! I am SO glad you went to Nordstrom Cafe!! I absolutely LOVE that place…and I love the fries too! Fries are my major vice, I love love love them, but I definitely only let myself have them once in a while. If you are going to splurge on fries, the Nordstrom ones are totally worth it.
And, I just had to add in that I agree with everyone on the fact that you are a great model to follow when it comes to health and eating. The thing that I love the most about your blog and, well, habits I guess, is that you DO eat at steak places and have pizza and don’t make a big fuss over it. I think it is great that you have the attitude you do, and it is so encouraging to see someone that can overall be a very healthy person, yet still go out and enjoy some good food that isn’t totally healthy.
Thanks for making all the rest of us girls feel good and for showing us what a healthy lifestyle is about!!
Allison
January 22, 2008 at 5:02 pmJenna,
I know that tons of people have already mentioned this, but your attitude is fantastic. I love that you said “Actually, I’m lying. I don’t feel bad at all.” It is so refreshing to read that.
Thanks a million for asserting that it’s not worth thinking of foods as “good” and “bad”
Lynn
January 23, 2008 at 1:47 amThe Fries were the best!
Paige
January 16, 2013 at 9:51 pmDon’t you love when people comment on posts from years ago? 😉 Just wanted to chime in and say I never knew Nordstrom had a restaurant (and cafe and espresso bar… what?), and tomorrow for lunch I am going there and getting the roasted veg salad and crab bisque because of this post. But probably not the fries because my mom will not be there to order them and basically leave me no choice but to eat them, haha.
Also, I want to say that I’m reading all your blog posts from the beginning because I just finished your book. I don’t even remember how I found out about the book, but I’m glad I did because it and this blog are revolutionizing the way I think about food. I love your mantra: “eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full.” And I love how you eat a lot (haha), but hardly anything you eat is “bad.” That gives me no excuse because you are an example. I love eating and the idea of eating every few hours, but in the past, I’ve always chosen unhealthy meals and snacks. Now that I’m 24, my metabolism isn’t as good as it once was, and I’ve gained about 15-20 pounds in two years. Anyway, I hope you’re flattered (and not weirded out) that I’m reading your blog from the start. I love seeing how the book and blog intersect.