Breakfast/ Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

The List That Never Ends

jsaljdlajkdlasdjkalsdjasljdalsj

(that’s what my day has felt like)

LOT’S of running around….I stayed late at work but didn’t even finish everything! I hate that feeling! Anyways, more on that later. Here’s a recap:

This morning I made some delicious creamy stovetop oatmeal for breakfast this morning. The classic “jenna” way—1/2 cup oats, 1 cup silk, 1 banana, some dried cherries and a spoonful of almond butter:

img_2838.JPG

And I packed a spicy hummus & turkey sammie on protein bread (about 2 tbsp hummus and 3 slices turkey) for lunch along with carrots, a pear and a yogurt. Sorry if my lunches are uuber boring these days but I’m not really aiming at being super creative…..I’m just trying to pack quick portable lunches I can scarf down at lightening speed while at work. Oh boo…..well it’s realistic anyways!

img_2830.JPG

img_2837.JPG

I had the yogurt mid-morning while my rolls were baking and ate the rest while busy at work around 11:30. Sammie in one hand, spoon in the other!

I stayed at work about 30 minutes late today hoping to finish up some stuff I didn’t get to. I SERIOUSLY needed some fuel around 3:00 and chocolate chips were just not cutting it! I delved deep into my bag and retrieved my emergency pure protein bar and ate it while unpacking shipments of milk, cream and eggs in the walk-in cooler.

img_2849.JPG

When I got home from work I was totally and completely pooped with a capital P. The LAST thing I wanted to do was exercise but I knew it would make me feel better. After a little pep talk from the boy, I got up, changed into my workout clothes and hit the “parent’s” home gym for a quickie upper body lifting session. I thought it would make me feel better and I was right! 🙂 Here’s what I did:

5 minutes on elliptical to warm up

2 sets of bent-over standing row—-15 lbs, 15 reps

2 sets of triceps kickbacks-–12 lbs, 15 reps

2 sets of assisted chin ups—12 reps

2 sets of bicep curls on cable machine—20 lbs, 12 reps

2 sets of lat pulldowns—50 lbs, 15 reps

2 sets of chest press with dumbells-–15 lbs, 15 reps

2 sets of push-ups with the ball (basically just lay your body belly down on the big stability ball and walk with your hands forward til’ the ball is positioned underneath your feet and your body is in plank pose…do your push-ups with your body in plank pose and feel your core get hard as a rock!)—12 reps—these KILL!

I was going to do some abs but I got really tired and felt like saving those bad boys for another day instead. I did do my little foot taps though that strengthen my shins.

Total workout time = about 35 minutes

I felt sooo much better after pumpin’ some iron! 😉 I mean, I still feel very very tired but I feel proud of myself for loving my body enough to make exercise a priority….even when my work days are long, hard and crazy and all I want to do is curl up in my bed with a bottle of wine. Haha! I think the key is to say to yourself “I CAN do this—-I want to make exercise a priority and no matter what, I CAN squeeze a 30 minute workout in my day”. I mean, 30 minutes….that’s nothing! I bet some of yall spend 30 minutes a day watching tv or something so why not promise yourself instead you will take that 30 minute tv time (it rots your brain anyways) and go on a walk, go to the gym or do some yoga? I promise it will make you feel better than sitting in front of the boob tube (can you tell how much I love tv?!). So there, that was my rant for the day. And it IS “I love my body day”!!!!!

I had an early dinner on my own tonight since I was STARVING after my workout! I heated up a morningstar farms black bean burger and had it on a toasted ezekiel muffin with pepperjack cheese, ketchup and hot sauce with roasted brussels on the side!

img_2851.JPG

While my sprouts were roasting I nibbled on some fresh fruit:

img_2850.JPG

And, for dessert, my favorite little bunnies!

img_2855.JPG

I’m eyeing some chamomile tea that I think I’m gonna fix when I’m done with this post!

Anyways—so, on Monday, Adam told me he was going to write a “really long list” for me on Wednesday. He told me don’t worry about finishing it all just get whatever you can done and we will finish the rest on Thursday. But………..being the overachiever (haha) I am, I really really REALLY wanted to get everything done on that dang list so he would be super impressed and we would have less to do tomorrow. I worked over 8 hours and took zero breaks…..but I still couldn’t get it all done! I mean, look at this thing:

img_2839.JPG

Note how he elegantly put in there I can make one cookie of my choice (NO TOFU). Hahaha it’s some big joke in the kitchen that I like tofu and “healthy things” in everything! Weird! Wonder how they got that idea!!! 😉 I never ended up making any cookies of “my choice” though today because I ended up having to make more basic cookies along with a key lime pie for someone’s birthday. It was packed!

The first thing I did when I got to work was get goin’ on on those pumpernickel rolls:

img_2840.JPG

Followed by four more loaves of pumpkin bread

img_2843.JPG

And cheddar wafers:

img_2842.JPG

Once I got all the morning bread production out of the way (it has to be ready in time for lunch service), I set out on cookies. I made more whoopie pies….this time with just a simple cinnamon infused buttercream:

img_2845.JPG

We were low on chocolate chip so I baked more of those (eating some chocolate chips in the process, no doubt):

img_2841.JPG

I also re-baked some reverse chocolate cookies and made some “mini cookies” for a banquet we had goin’ on:

img_2846.JPG

I kept workin hard and crossing things off the list and finally got to baking flourless chocolate cakes to be used for the wedding cake we are starting tomorrow!

img_2847.JPG

Midafternoon, the birthday request came in for a key lime pie so I had to crank that out as well….with our yummy graham cracker pisctachio crust!

img_2848.JPG

I also remade pumpernickel, cracker and cheddar wafer dough to bake off tomorrow, candied some pecans and finally, started to scale out for the MASSIVE amount of cakes we are starting tomorrow for the wedding this weekend! I scaled out over 9 lbs of flour (sifted) as well as 7 lbs of egg whites and 4 1/2 lbs of egg yolks (all cracked by hand and separated). The eggs took the longest. It took me a full hour to separate all those eggs and I consider myself pretty quick most of the time! By that time it was already 3:15, so I labeled everything and will finish the gigantic scale out tomorrow morning. I was exhausted by the time and it was all I could do to reorganize the coolers, put away shipments, scrub the floors with soap and water and wash/polish the pastry station.

So, I didn’t get to everything on the list :(. But I got a good portion of it done! If I were to finish everything I would have been there until probably right now so I’m glad I saved the rest for tomorrow.

I’m off to make some tea, take a bath and read……no debates for me tonight—-I’ve had enough of it all already and don’t think I could stay up anyways.

Have a great night and I’ll see ya tomorrow!

You Might Also Like

  • kailey
    October 15, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    hi jenna! i have been reading your blog for quite some time and just love how dedicated you are to living a healthy lifestyle while living a busy life. i have a question though, how do you cook your brussel sprouts because the look amazing!!! thanks!

  • Amy
    October 15, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    You had a very productive day, even if you didn’t get everything done! You put in a lot of effort, whether it’s with your workouts or your baking at work. All of your baked goodies look perfect, and your lunch and dinner look great as well. Enjoy your evening :DDD

  • jenna
    October 15, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    Kailey,

    I rub them with evoo and sea salt and roast them at 400 for 20 minutes! they are my fav!

  • Sarah
    October 15, 2008 at 11:37 pm

    wow. that is a CRAZY list. everything looks so amazing!
    i totally agree with you about making time for exercise. even if it’s only a quick walk around the block, just getting moving is better than nothing. i always feel so much better and have way more energy when i exercise and am definitely more tired and lethargic when i don’t.

    thanks for the sabra hummus recommendation! i bought some of the chipotle kind and it is AMAZING. i just can’t get enough!

  • Nicole
    October 15, 2008 at 11:38 pm

    Wow, what a busy day!

    I do love reading about your experience baking, it’s very interesting!

  • VeggieGirl
    October 15, 2008 at 11:47 pm

    Girl, kudos to you for making it through the day – my oh my, were you ever the busy bee!!! Do NOT worry about your meals – number one, they aren’t boring, ever; and number two, it’s more important that you eat fueling foods than “innovative foods” 😉

    Rest up tonight!! 🙂

  • Stacy
    October 15, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    Hey Jenna,
    Great blog! Just wondering, are you trying to lose or maintain weight? It seems like you are not consuming a lot of food given your activity level. jw
    Stacy

  • The Healthy Hostess
    October 15, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    Looks like such a fun day! I am always excited to see what you make each day!
    🙂

  • jenna
    October 16, 2008 at 12:09 am

    Stacy,

    No I’m not trying to lose weight. I eat whenever I’m hungry at an amount that is right for my particular body. Every body is different and has different needs! I more than assure you I eat enough or I would be losing weight. I’ve been at the exact same weight for 3 years.

  • justjen
    October 16, 2008 at 12:16 am

    Jenna, you are awesome. Your enthusiasm to your work, your blog, your time off, all of it really inspires me!

  • Runjen
    October 16, 2008 at 12:40 am

    Good for you for bucking up and making yourself go to the gym. It’s amazing how it does make you feel better.
    Hope you enjoy your bath and book! You deserve it!

  • Carla
    October 16, 2008 at 12:45 am

    Great to know that there’s another huge reader!! Thanks for the list of recommendations. I have The Poisonwood Bible and The Memory Keepers Daughter on waiting list on my shelf for when I finish The Memoirs of Cleopatra…by MARGARET GEORGE!! I’m almost done those 900-something pages and I know that her other books are JUST AS LONG but you’ve kind of convinced me to check them out! I’d love to hear more about what you read!

  • Megan
    October 16, 2008 at 1:06 am

    What a busy day! You must be exhausted. Get some rest!

  • Cara
    October 16, 2008 at 1:12 am

    You impress me more and more every day!

    I felt the same way at work today. Worker harder and LONGER and still not getting it done.

  • ashley
    October 16, 2008 at 1:23 am

    Jenna, no wonder you’re exhausted! I love the fact that you still made time to exercise… I need to remember that after a long day!

  • Jenny
    October 16, 2008 at 1:37 am

    I did the exact same thing today, came back to my room, laid down, did NOT want to get up and exercise, but I went anyways did about 35 minutes and felt soooo much better! Yay endorphins and lovin’ our bods!

    Congrats on an amazingly productive day, haha I want you to come bake for ME! Hope you get some rest tonight! 🙂

  • Sarah
    October 16, 2008 at 2:02 am

    Wow, what a day! I love that Adam underlined “No Tofu”! Very funny. Do you have a favorite healthy dessert recipe you could share with us? I LOVE just about anything from Veganomicon and Eat Drink & Be Vegan!

  • caitlin
    October 16, 2008 at 2:25 am

    wow!! what a day of baking!! 🙂

  • Kelsey
    October 16, 2008 at 2:49 am

    NO TOFU!!! 😀
    It’s a good thing you like/are good at baking or else you’d be screwed.
    Your hummus sammies make me sad now that I live on my own in a dorm without a food processor. I haven’t been able to find any already made hummus either!!!
    You should get a prize for always making exercise a priority, even when you’re uber tired. I’d just go, meh let’s just play tomorrow!

  • Krista (kristaskravings)
    October 16, 2008 at 2:52 am

    Whoa, girl! I think you’re really Wonder Woman, aren’t you?
    Seriously…all that baking makes me drool.

  • Amy C.
    October 16, 2008 at 3:45 am

    Everything looks so good! I want one of those rolls. 🙂

    I just found Sabre hummus this weekend. I can’t wait to try it for lunch tomorrow. I just got original but I’m picking up spicy next. Mmmmmm

    Quick question… what kind of pepperjack cheese do you get? I never seem to find it.

  • Pumpkin
    October 16, 2008 at 4:56 am

    Busy day!
    I try to squeeze in a half hour of exercise a day- I’m an indoors kind of girl, so I try to do the treadmill during a TV show I like. Then I can watch TV, but I don’t feel like a lazy lump about it! I doubt I could motivate myself to sweat outside for 30min…

  • Rachel
    October 16, 2008 at 6:13 am

    Oh man, I know you probably get this a lot, but I cannot imagine working in a bakery and not sampling EVERYTHING. I’d gain at least a pound a week on bites and taste tests alone. Thank you for sharing the pictures and delicious tales with us!

  • jenna
    October 16, 2008 at 10:13 am

    Amy C,

    I believe the cheese is just sliced Sargento brand. I love how spicy it is!!

    Sarah,

    Good question……When I eat a real dessert though its usually not healthy because when I like to live it up and don’t eat dessert every night! Healthy dessert? I really like all the cookies from ED&BV and the coconut bundt cake from Veganomicon is outstanding!

  • Ally
    October 16, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    Seriously Jenna, WOW! Holy cow, I am so impressed. I can’t believe how much you got done in one day. That sounds like a ton of work. I went apple picking 2 weekends ago and still haven’t made the pies I was planning on cause it’s soo much work and you did all that in one day!

    Anyway, I love the blog you are super cute and it is so exciting seeing what you make everyday! I think you have a really bright future ahead of you!! I also could really go for a slice of that key lime pie, pistachio graham cracker crust sounds just amazing.

  • Amy C.
    October 16, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Question for Jenna and anyone else who does yoga… do you put anything over your yoga mat? I find that I slide during downward dog but I don’t know what to do to make that stop! I end up just using the rug but when I take a class at the gym I need to use my mat. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!! 🙂

  • HangryPants
    October 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    What a busy day! Good for you for fitting in some exerecise!

    Oh, and don’t worry about being “boring” with lunch! Look at all those interesting treats you made AND I know it’s hard sometimes to think of creative things to blog about. You’re great at it. 🙂

  • Catherine
    October 16, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Jenna, any chance you could post the recipe for the flourless cake?? As a gal who was recently told she should avoid wheat (gluten is ok though), I’m hitting a brick wall in trying to find tasty cake/cookie type desserts. Any suggestions??

  • Lee Tilghman
    October 16, 2008 at 3:37 pm

    Wow-I love reading your blog to look at all those fancy pictures! How did you get into baking? I think it’s really artistic and such a fun way to express yourself. My friends and I were talking yesterday at lunch-baking is probably the best way to bond with someone!! 🙂

  • runjess
    October 16, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Must be a huge wedding.
    I’m also getting tired of politics, but it’s exciting all the same. Glad last night was the last debate.

  • Allison
    October 16, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    that is a heck of day! I just wanted to say that I like seeing a “boring” lunch (which totally wasn’t boring) because it’s real! Lots of people have to pack lunches for work, and you still give us great ideas, and show how one can still pack balanced meals that are quick and simple!

  • Ozlem
    October 16, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    Hey Jenna,

    I just bought the high protein and high fiber bread you mentioned. And normally I check stuff I buy before I buy but because I had my 6 week old son with me, I was hurrying. Anyway. I noticed each slice has like 3 gr of sugar in it. Isnt that a lot? I mean sugar is the secon ingredient listed in both. JUst thought I would share. While the taste was OK, I dont think I will buy this bread again.

    But I appreciate your other product reviews and totally agree with you on the amy’s products. They should pay you for this 😉

  • Teddy
    October 16, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    your baked goods make me want to drool! You’ve been so productive. Congrats on getting so much done

    Teddy

  • jenna
    October 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    Catherine,

    I’m sorry I can’t! I can’t reveal any of the recipes from the yacht club…just a legality I guess!

  • TrishT
    October 16, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    Amy C,
    Make sure your weight is evenly distributed between your fingertips and the palms of your hands. If this doesn’t work for me, I step my feet up an inch or two so my whole body is in a “higher V” hope that helps!

  • TrishT
    October 16, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    Oh and Jenna,
    The only time I lift weights is when I’m watching TV. I leave 10 lbs free weights out in front of the box at all times, so they are staring at me. I get a few reps on different parts in each night and I get to catch up on my shows while making myself feel good! It works great for me.

  • michelle
    October 16, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Hi Jenna,
    Great post!!! You are an amazing young woman living a life meant just for you!!

    Can i just ask please:
    When you make your oats, do you cook just the oats and soymilk and then add the banana and cherries or do you cook them in with the oats? It looks amazing either way and i must try it!! Also, what kind of oats do you use!!

    Hope your having a fabulous day!!!

  • Catherine
    October 16, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Oh well… I figured you wouldn’t be able to reveal any recipes from work, but figured it was worth a try!! You make such fantastic looking baked goods… awesome job!

  • Biz
    October 16, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    Wow, those pumpernickel rolls look AMAZING!
    Good job!

  • ModelBehavior
    October 16, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Hey jenna can you describe the toe tap shin strengthening move? I think I need to do those because my shins start to hurt during a longer run! Thanks!

  • M
    October 16, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    Hi Amy C.,
    I practice Bikram yoga (hot yoga) and when I first started I had the same problem as you. My teacher recommended that I buy a Yogitoes Skiddless Mat. You place the mat, which is like a thin towel with “grippers” on the bottom, over your yoga mat and it absorbs any moisture/sweat. The Yogitoes is a little expensive, but I think it’s definitely worth it. I never slip anymore, and when I practice I can focus on my breathing and the pose, instead of falling! 🙂
    Good luck!
    ~M

  • jenna
    October 17, 2008 at 12:42 am

    michelle,

    I add the banana and dried cherries while cooking the oats in the soymilk and I just use Quaker Old Fashioned.

    ModelBehavior,

    Uh oh! I just sit and tap my heels on the ground for like 5minuts straight until I feel the burn….and you WILL feel the burn! My trainer showed it to me and while I’m not sure if its helping or not, I like to think it is!

    Lee,

    I’ve just always really loved to bake ever since I was a little girl…my mom is a great cook and I learned from the best! 🙂

  • Amy C.
    October 17, 2008 at 12:56 am

    Thanks for the yoga tips! I will definitely check out that mat and will take up Trish’s tips for downward dog. Thanks!!! 🙂

  • Kelly
    October 17, 2008 at 12:58 am

    Mmmm look at all the baked goods. Too funny on the tofu comment but that is awesome he lets you experiment. I’m jealous