Wow! I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s positive feedback regarding my future race! Thank you all SO much! I’m sure I will be looking more to yall in the future for more motivation on those tough training days. 🙂
Today I bought the biggest carrots I have EVER seen at W.F. Seriously, this carrot was the length of my arm, elbow down.
It was basically a snack in itself. But, I peeled and sliced her and had it with about 2 tbsp hummus, 10 kashi crackers and a handful of grapes. I was actually full by the time I finished the monster carrot, crackers and hummus so I saved the grapes. Now if only these carrots could cure my horrible eyesight!!!!
And yay! I had time this afternoon to wash and slice all my veggies for quick access this week:
I bought the new Shape Magazine this weekend and have been drooling over two of the recipes. The first—those amazing brownies that I NEED to make in the near future for myself and the second, the goat cheese and spinach stuffed chicken breasts! Tonight for dinner, I made the latter and it was excellent. And easy! I didn’t use the artichokes because I just didn’t want to spend five more dollars at the store when I knew it wouldn’t make thaaaat much of a difference. They turned out deliciously tender and juicy, oozing with goat cheese. Yum! I had my chicken with roasted brussels sprouts and brown rice.
oh joy for brussels sprouts!!!! They make me think of Fall, my absolute favorite season ever! Brussels sprouts are my favorite veggie ever and, when roasted, taste like popcorn. I roast mine with a little evoo and sea salt at 400 for 15 minutes. Delicious!!!! I also had a dark chocolate, of course.
And we all know what’s for a snack later……….I’m going to have to hide it from myself until 8:00 or I will eat it as soon as I get to school. I can’t wait. I will do a review tomorrow so look forward to that!
Tonight I start my last culinary/baking class at school. Chocolate and Sugar. This class focuses on making chocolate truffles and sculptures out of chocolate as well as the technique of melting, pulling and creating sculptures out of sugar. The chef teaching it recently moved here from France and this is his specialty. I’ve been pretty excited about it during the whole program but it is by no means on of those classes where you get out at 10:00. I’ll be there til 11:30 every night! I’m just going to have to suck it up though because starting the following three weeks I’ll be in Wine & Cost Control class, which is my LAST class and is from 7:30 am-12:30 pm everyday. No more nights!
Have a great night!
VeggieGirl
August 18, 2008 at 9:26 pmRoasted brussels sprouts + giant carrots + Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar = perfection, in my eyes!! 🙂
Good luck with class tonight!!
Justy2003
August 18, 2008 at 9:33 pmGoat cheese and spinach chicken?! Chocolate and sugar class?! PB cookie LaraBar?! Can we trade places, please? 😀
suzanne
August 18, 2008 at 9:41 pmbrussel sprouts= 😉
Alyssa
August 18, 2008 at 9:44 pmGood luck with the class and with the training! Kind of on the topic of exercise, I’m looking for some good tricep exercises because that is an arm muscle I want to focus on. I know push ups and some yoga moves are good for triceps, but do any other ones come to mind, Jenna or anyone?
Runeatrepeat
August 18, 2008 at 9:53 pmI’ve never made brussel sprouts I, we never had them growing up so I have no clue how to make them. Thanks for the quick tips. I’ll try them soon 🙂
michelle
August 18, 2008 at 10:22 pmOOOH, brussel sprouts are my favorite! Especially the way you make them! What time is dinner?
Did you try the Chobani yogurt yet? I like the chobani honey i think! It’s real thick and very filling!!
Ever have this brand:
http://www.wallabyyogurt.com/html/products.htm
Oh my goodness, so yummy! Not thick at all and just so tasty!! Maybe, its not so healthy??? HELP??
C
August 18, 2008 at 10:28 pmI love roasted brussel sprouts! The best way is once they are roasted to throw in a little goat cheese, walnuts and a drizzle of honey. Oh.my.goodness.
I keep seeing this peanut butter cookie lara bar in blog land and have never seen it in the stores. I must search online!
ModelBehavior
August 18, 2008 at 10:56 pmI’ve never been a brussel sprout fan but I’ve never had them roasted either, I may just have to give them another try!
Do you get fresh ones or frozen?
Thanks!
Amanda
August 18, 2008 at 11:12 pmDangit, I just threw out that issue of Shape and didn’t catch that recipe. It looks friggin’ yummy.
I also like how you genderized the carrot!
Good luck with the run! I didn’t catch what distance it was. I’m a longtime runner (30-50 miles per week) but don’t join races; I prefer solo. So that’s pretty cool that you’re stepping up and doing that…
Rae
August 18, 2008 at 11:38 pmHI Jenna!
I was just catching up on posts and saw youre planning on running a half. Awesome!! I’m a runner/triathlete myself, and if you are looking for a plan, I would recommend training plans at http://www.triathlongeek.com/. They have tri plans, and marathon/half marathon plans. I used it this year for my half ironman, and felt super prepared. They arent expensive, and I think you really get your moneys worth (they include tips on nutrition, cross training, etc.)
Just a suggestion! Best of luck, I know you can do it!
Diana
August 18, 2008 at 11:59 pmCan’t wait to hear about your marathon training! Good luck!
I am thinking about setting that goal after I finish the Couch25K program – I use your website as inspiration.
Also, looking forward to the review on the new Greek yogurt – I love Fage but it is expensive and I am going looking for some larabars!
Happy Monday!
🙂
caitlin (see bride run)
August 19, 2008 at 12:34 amhahaha jenna! i was at publix this evening and i saw PB larabars so i bought you one! i can’t believe you beat me to it 😀 oh well, now you’ll have two!
Hayley
August 19, 2008 at 12:51 amHi Jenna,
I am so sorry to post this again, especially if you chose to skip over it originally on purpose! I just wasn’t sure if you missed it the first time, but if you don’t respond I will know to leave the subject alone. 🙂
I will always enjoy reading your blog – your posts are so much fun to read and you are very talented in the kitchen! Here is what I originally wrote:
Hi Jenna!
I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog before, but I read it often and absolutely love it. You and Kath are awesome – living proof that you can eat and still look great and be healthy!
I’ve been especially interested in these past couple of days since your trainer friend gave you some good advice. My question is, what if you are trying to LOSE weight as opposed to gain muscle? I am not huge, but I wouldn’t mind dropping some pounds. I am currently quite active, but I’m always so confused about whether or not I should be taking in much fat. I was eating peanut butter for a while, but nothing seemed to be happening so I’ve pretty much cut out all fat, give or take a few grams here and there. I’m so curious to know what your trainer friend might say, but I understand if she is busy. I noticed Mandy posted her email address and so I thought I’d do the same just in case. Mine is jazzerhay@gmail.com.
Thank you, especially because I know you’re busy too!
Andrea
August 19, 2008 at 1:46 amgood luck with your training! Excellent snack choice for tonight 🙂
Sammie
August 19, 2008 at 2:01 amJenna,
You are the third blogger today to report the PB Larabar, I hope you like it. Please do report on it, I love PB – who doesn’t – and I love Larabars. Thanks.
Good luck with the 1/2 marathon training.
jenna
August 19, 2008 at 2:05 amMichelle,
I have to eat dinner at 5:00 right now in order to get to class on time. I prefer to eat around 6:30 though…I’ll have to check out that yogurt. Sweetened yogurts aren’t usually the best choice (although they are quite tasty!!) because of all the added sugars. Plain is an acquired taste but so worth it because its such a great healthy snack option!!
ModelBehavior,
Fresh! I tried frozen ones once and they were soooooo gross and mushy!
Caitlin,
You’re so cute. Thank you!!!!! THESE WERE THE MOST AMAZING BAR I HAVE EVER PUT IN MY MOUTH. So, yes, the more the merrier!! I could probably eat like 5 of them right now….
Hayley,
Oh no! I’m sorry sometimes I unintentionally miss comments. I try to answer them all! In order to LOSE weight you need to expend more calories than you take in. However, that does not in any way mean major restriction. You just might be eating the wrong things and not exercising enough. My thoughts are to totally eliminate all the processed carbs (cookies, junk, snack packs, white bread, ritz crackers, candy…….) and focus soley on veggies/fruits/LEAN protein (chicken, tofu, beans, egg whites)/whole grains. Our bodies do need carbs, but focus more on the complex carbs found in fibrous veggies rather than grains for awhile. And, if you are trying to burn fat yet still gain lean muscle, aim for .9 grams of protein per pound of body weight (take your weight and multiply it by .9). Make your portions smaller and focus on cardio because that will burn fat! Hope that helps a little!
jenna
August 19, 2008 at 2:13 amah yes–and of course the carrot is a girl. 😉 I tend to give genders and funny names to my food and other random items..
caitlin (see bride run)
August 19, 2008 at 2:19 amjenna, we are definitely still on for sunday. your larabar is waiting 😛
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
August 19, 2008 at 2:58 amRoasted brussel sprouts taste like popcorn?! I definitely need to try them!
smjohnson30
August 19, 2008 at 11:28 amCongrats on signing up for the 1/2 marathon. I am sure the temperatures will be much nicer come February for racing 🙂 Between you and Kath, you two are going to get everyone motivated to race/train!
How was the peanut butter cookie Lara Bar?!
Sarah M
August 19, 2008 at 12:16 pmHey Jenna,
Long time reader here. I also just committed to running a half marathon this winter. I’ve done a bunch of 5K and 8K’s but nothing near the half! My official training doesn’t start til beg of October but until then I’m just doing a couple 5K runs per week and some yoga and a spin class here and there. I am training with a friend which I think will make it so much more fun.
Also, I live in a hot climate as well (Bermuda) so running outside at the moment is a challenge. Can’t wait for the temps to cool a bit!
Good luck!
Sarah
karla
August 19, 2008 at 12:22 pmgood luck with the race!!
im thinking about signing up for a race here in Barcelona, its on new years (hehe crazy huh?) 10k
so i cant wait to hear about your training!!!
jenna
August 19, 2008 at 12:32 pmSarah,
I wish I lived in Bermuda!!!!!!! Sounds great—you will have to keep us posted on your progress. I planned to time myself running a 5K this weekend (not a real race, just down my street haha) to see where I stand right now. Its going to be a challenging path but I’m sure very rewarding when we make it!
Kim
August 19, 2008 at 3:25 pmLove brussel sprouts and that is one of mine and my son’s absolute favorite Lara Bars. Enjoy!