Happy Friday!
I slept awful last night because of nightmares! I kept having dreams that I was in high school again and someone was shooting at our school. How strange and terrifying is that?!
Anyways, finally it was time to wake up and I couldn’t wait for banana bread!!!!!
What is the best way to eat banana bread, you ask? Obviously toasted and slathered with raw crunchy almond butter!! Divine.
With a half cup of 0% Fage—-
Yum!!! I am so impressed by this banana bread that I think this shall be my new go-to recipe. Screw healthy, this stuff is AMAZING!!!!! Everything in moderation, she says. One rich slice of banana bread once in awhile won’t kill you and I know now more than ever that life is way too short to deprive yourself!
This morning I am going to my 8:30 spinning class and then this afternoon I’m headed out to the white sandy beaches at the Don CeSar hotel to partake in the first day of the Tampa Bay Fine Wine and Food Festival. The real deal is tomorrow but today is a sneak peak for those people that have special VIP media passes (that’s me!!!). I don’t know exactly everything going on, but know there are cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Too bad I have to go alone and don’t know anyone!
Haven’t talked to my mom yet today, but praying for the best. She’s supposed to be an afternoon flight home and I miss her!
Ryan surprised me by drilling my new magnetic knife rack up last night!
The “peanut butter knife” (butter knife) and plastic knife are obviously jokes to make me laugh but how cute is that?! 🙂
Alison
May 15, 2009 at 5:46 amSo sorry you had nightmares. That must have been especially disturbing for you. I almost never remember dreams, but inevitably the ones I do remember are usually nightmares.
Hope the Food and Wine Festival is fun!
Meg
May 15, 2009 at 5:46 amSorry about your nightmares! The banana bread looks delicious! That is a perfect way to start a day.
Jocelyn
May 15, 2009 at 5:47 amthat banana bread looks so yummy..;)
and that is so cute of your bf!!! (I need something like that)
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
May 15, 2009 at 6:11 amI couldn’t sleep either. I ended up laying in bed for an hour praying for different people. (Your fam ended making the list!) Have fun at the food and wine festival!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
May 15, 2009 at 6:12 amAww sorry about the nightmares!!
Mmmm banana bread. Yep, you only live once. And you gotta eat the good stuff!!
Enjoy spinning and the wine festival. I would have LOVED to go with you but I have a lonnnnnnnnnnng yoga weekend this weekend. But let’s do a yoga session soon? Next week sometime?
Enjoy your day!!
yolie
May 15, 2009 at 6:13 amhave a beautiful day, jenna! its a shame your mum can’t be there today, but looking on the brightside (which you do anyway i know) you never know who you might meet, and what friends you might make, when you go somewhere alone 🙂 that’s so cute what ryan did, bless, lol! big smiles xyx
megan
May 15, 2009 at 6:18 amthat banana bread looks awesome! I recently made my favorite “unhealthy” banana bread recipe too, and I agree – so totally worth it. 🙂
Victoria
May 15, 2009 at 6:22 amWow. I’ve cut myself so many times, I’d probably be terrified to have knives hanging on the wall. Enjoy the festival. Sounds fun!
brandi
May 15, 2009 at 6:29 amthe bread looks awesome!
those magnetic knife holders scare me – i would just be so terrified that they would fall off and land on my foot or something.
I liked Angels & Demons WAY better than the DaVinci Code – it had so much more action in it! I think I’m going to see the movie next wednesday, but I’m not expecting it to be as good the book. movies based on books never are, including the DaVinci code.
Lauren
May 15, 2009 at 6:34 amYour banana bread looks delicious! I completely agree that sometimes you have to forsake ‘healthy’ for optimal taste. There are so many good lightened-up recipes out there, but occasionally, they cannot compare to the traditional recipes!
Sorry to hear about your dream 🙁 I’ve had similar ones before. Never fun.
Sarah
May 15, 2009 at 6:53 amI love, love, love banana bread! Especially warm from the oven. SO GOOD!
Lacey
May 15, 2009 at 6:53 amWhy have I never thought of putting peanut/almond butter on banana bread before??!!! That sounds so good! Makes me want to make banana bread right now too bad my bananas are still a little on the green side.
Tiffanie Hage
May 15, 2009 at 6:55 amOops…I just realized I didn’t get the Raw Donut Holes from your site, but from Abbie’s! Sorry!!! I still found you via Sarah! 🙂
Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
May 15, 2009 at 7:00 amI had crazy nightmares last night too! No fun!
That banana bread looks divine!
Nicole
May 15, 2009 at 7:07 amThis post is full of greatness! That banana bread is delicious. One of life’s greatest joys is a nice slab of banana bread, in my opinion!! I am tempted to buy this cookbook to make a vegan version of the bread, after all your raving.
The knife thing is cute 😀 I laughed out loud when I saw the plastic knife.
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
May 15, 2009 at 7:13 amthats so cute!! I wish I’d taken my grandma’s magnetic knife rack when I had the chance… but I gave it to my sister instead. She has more knives than I do!
I’ll probably be baking banana bread this weekend now, especially if the weather keeps up the way its going! MAJOR thunderstorms!
Jess
May 15, 2009 at 7:24 amI made banana bread yesterday too!! It’s totally a comfort ood for me!! Love it!
Rachel
May 15, 2009 at 7:38 amhahaha I love the butter knife!
Your banana bread looks soooo delicious! That’s one thing that I don’t even try to healtify…it’s too good with all the sugar and butter 🙂
Have a good day and I’ll be thinking about your family. When it rains it pours! 🙁
Still Life in South America
May 15, 2009 at 7:41 amI love banana bread. It’s so comforting. You’ve definitely inspired me to try Fage when I can get my hands on some.
Have a great time at the Food and Wine Festival. Should definitely provide some material for the other blog writing!
K
May 15, 2009 at 7:45 amYikes! Scary dream!! I love the addition of the plastic knife – haha!
brittany meenach
May 15, 2009 at 7:48 amLove the knife rack, and banana bread, moderation is key. I am trying to start a raw nut butter swap on my blog, i have maranatha raw almound butter, and it is the only one i can get, so I thought a swap would be fun. I hope you can sleep soundly tonight, and I am very jealous of your fancy plastic ware. take care. brit
Jori
May 15, 2009 at 7:51 amJenna I am so sorry you had a nightmare like that. I hope today is a better day and that your mom comes home so you guys can enjoy the food and wine fest. I have to ask you a question I know you make juice alot. What juicer are you using? I am thinking I would really like to start doing this but need to get a bit of direction. Thanks:)
Melissa (Nibbles and Wiggles)
May 15, 2009 at 7:52 amHave fun at the wine festival. I need one of those magnetic knife holders – very cool.
Kristin
May 15, 2009 at 8:01 amRich banana bread is SO worth it! Have a great day Jenna =)
Ally
May 15, 2009 at 8:19 amBanana bread is like my favorite food ever. Definitely my favorite sweet.
Jenna (or anyone?), what’s the taste difference between raw and roasted almond butter. I don’t know if I’ve ever had the raw kind and I was just wondering if it tastes the same or what the consistency is like? Do you prefer the raw? It’s so expensive I’d hate to buy it and not like it.
Jenn
May 15, 2009 at 8:21 amSorry about you nightmares! Those sound terrifying! I find dreams/nightmares fascinating, I don’t know how I feel about “do they have meaning” but I enjoy reading about how they work and what not. Ive been trying to lucid dream and when I was explaining a recent lucid dream I had to someone it just sounded like I as on drugs or something.
Moving on, that was so cute of Ryan to put that up and hang your PB knife hehe too cute!
Also I had a yoga-ish question. I haven’t been doing yoga consistently lately but I find that when I do wheel it really hurts my wrists. Do you have this problem or do you know of anything I can do to help this? Thanks!
kim
May 15, 2009 at 8:26 amwho cares?! It’s just a slice of heavenly goodness. It’s like it’s so much better to eat REAL ice cream than sorbet.
Mary Catherine
May 15, 2009 at 8:28 amYUM! That Banana bread looks to-die for! Might have to pick up a copy of that cookbook 🙂
Have fun at the Wine and Food Festival! I’ve been to the last 3 in Austin. This year was the absolute BEST!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
May 15, 2009 at 8:35 amNightmares are awful! Hope you’re feeling better!
I LOVE banana bread too! So delicious! I agree with your comment about everything in moderation! 🙂
Food and Wine Fest?! So jealous! Have a wonderful time!!
Nicole
May 15, 2009 at 8:39 amJenna
After I read your post I got an email from my Women’s Health Daily Dose. Ironically, it was about dreams. Here’s what it said:
Bad dreams bugging you? Don’t stress; they’re normal. Studies show that most of our dreams aren’t happy.
Recent research suggests that the primary function of REM sleep (when most dreams occur) is to regulate emotions and help process fearful memories to keep your mind from overloading on stress.
Bottom line: It’s your brain’s way of confronting your fears so you don’t have to deal with them during the day.
I thought it was pretty random that about 30 seconds after I read your post, this email popped up. So naturally I had to share.
Enjoy your day 🙂
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health
May 15, 2009 at 8:55 amSorry about your nightmares! Your banana bread looks amazing!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
May 15, 2009 at 8:56 amOMG it looks so moist!! Nice job!
Help Meghan Run
May 15, 2009 at 8:57 amUm, yum. 🙂 You’re right…moderation is key and that banana bread w/ almond butter looks amazing. Enjoy the day!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Glidingcalm
May 15, 2009 at 9:05 ambanana bread is seriously the best food ever. like one of my ALL time favorites.
and that plastic spoon is absolutely hilarious!
Jenny
May 15, 2009 at 9:08 amm’mm that banana bread/AB breakfast has got it goin’ on girl! and that magnetic knife holder is genius!
Have a great time today 🙂
Danielle
May 15, 2009 at 9:10 amIf there weren’t room for incredible banana bread in our diets I’d be a very very un-fulfilled girl :). So glad you enjoyed yours!
Nice rack 😉
Bec
May 15, 2009 at 9:12 amAww I hope you get a better nights sleep tonight!
Jenni
May 15, 2009 at 9:15 amHi, Jenna!
Question about your Garmin–I’m thinking of buying one. Does it work with your bike too? I noticed you have the Forerunner 305. I’ve been reading up on it but I can’t tell if I would need to purchase an additional piece of equipment for my bike (cadence?). I will mostly use it for running, but also for cross-training on the bike. Thanks!!
jenna
May 15, 2009 at 9:29 amJenni,
You definitely dont need anything else to use it with your bike…..but you can’t use it inside unless you buy another piece. Outdoor biking is fine!
Jenn,
Be very sure to stretch your hands and wrists before practicing…I’m not a yoga teacher so I can’t tell you exactly what to do but I’m sure if you talk to your teacher she or he would be glad to help you! You really should not be experiencing any pain. Pain is a warning sign to our bodies that we are doing something wrong so your alignment might be off.
Jori,
I have a Breville Fountain Elite juicer and I LOVE it. Its so easy to use and clean..you can make, drink and clean juice within 5 minutes. I adore mine and can’t live without it!
Run Sarah
May 15, 2009 at 9:21 amSorry to hear about your nightmares, they sound awful. The knife set is so cute – how sweet of Ryan!
Kelly
May 15, 2009 at 9:31 amThe festival sounds lovely and like a perfect break based on everything you have been going through lately. I also have to mention how great Breville juicers are. I recently bought the 2 disc juicer from Williams-Sonoma and absolutely love it. It juices such a wide range of fruits & veggies.
Diana
May 15, 2009 at 9:34 amThat bread looks incredible! I want some!
Diana
Kailey (SnackFace)
May 15, 2009 at 10:06 amSorry about the horrific nightmares! Thankfully, you awoke to that amazing banana bread! MMM. I’m with you in that sometimes, you just gotta go for the good stuff. It is worth it.
Ryan is so cute with that knife strip! Haha I love the plastic one. Can’t wait for pics of the festival!
Michelle Hisae
May 15, 2009 at 10:15 amYeah girl! Life IS too short! I need to keep reminding myself of that…
Maggie
May 15, 2009 at 10:20 amHey!! I’m finally writing you a note….I’ve been reading your blog for ages now! Anyways I really adore your blog and it’s always the first one I read in the morning with breakfast. That bread looks really great! Thanks for being an awesome blog role model! Keep doing what your doing!
Maggie
Ellen (Peace In Motion)
May 15, 2009 at 10:21 amnightmares are the worst!!
Your banana bread is making me crave the stuff my mom always made growing up! Maybe it’s time to figure out that recipe…
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
May 15, 2009 at 10:27 amAbso-frickin-lutely on the Banana Bread/Life is TOO short theory!
I can’t wait to hear all about the food and wine festival, and hopefully good news from your mom too!
Nabeela
May 15, 2009 at 10:48 amMy local Costco has stopped stocking 0% fage yogurt, booooo! 🙁 I’ll need to ask my aunt in Davis to bring me back some when she visits me. I miss greek yogurt 🙁
Shelby
May 15, 2009 at 12:03 pmI’m sorry but that knife rack really scares me!!! =P
Lindsey (fiteats)
May 15, 2009 at 3:51 pmThat banana bread looks so delicious!!! And with almond butter too! Wow!
Jen
May 15, 2009 at 4:44 pmUmm.. I want to make banana bread for the sole purpose of toasting it and slathering it with nut butter now… Haha. 🙂
That’s so sweet of Ryan! Are magnetic knife racks not dangerous at all? That thing looks pretty intimidating…
Jenn
May 15, 2009 at 8:03 pmHi Jenna,
I really enjoy your blog, but I don’t comment much. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family in this difficult time. You mentioned that you had a nightmare, and I read this interesting article about why we have bad dreams that I thought you might find interesting. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519905,00.html
Also, this is a very touching series about grieving. While the women writes of losing her mother, she’s very good at describing how she’s feeling. http://www.slate.com/id/2211257/entry/2211256/
Have a lovely day,
Jenn