Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

Water Baby

There are not many things that top the feeling of swimming on a hot summer morning. I can’t believe I only just “discovered” swimming as a form of exercise this past Spring. Don’t get me wrong–I’m no Dara Torres but the water just feels so good right now. And since my hair is so short now I don’t even need to tie it back! I just stuff it under the hot pink Speedo swim cap that my friend Peggy got me and I’m all set to go 🙂

This morning I did 20 minutes on the elliptical before heading out to the pool and swimming laps for about 15 minutes. While I was on the elliptical, actually, I was reading a wonderful article about how swimming helped one woman deal with grief of losing her grandmother and almost her husband in an accident in Iraq. She said swimming was the only place she could release her grief and the water felt like a blanket all around her. It was a really great article and I believe its in the latest Self magazine, at the very end. Check it out!

When I got home from the gym I peeled off the Nike one piece and tied on the bikini to soak up some sunshine minus the awful one piece tan line 😉

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Reading material:

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And lots of ice water + sunscreen! Since our last skin care discussion , I’ve really gotten into using the Neutrogena Deep Cleansing Gentle Scrub twice daily, actually instead of the sulphur Rx wash my derm had me on. It wasn’t really by choice that I made the switch—I ran out and am in the process of switching to a new health insurance so I didn’t really feel like spending top dollar. Plus, I LOVE the Neut scrub. It makes my skin feel soooooo smooth and no breakouts thus far (knock on wood)!

I laid by the pool for about 45 minutes then decided it was time for lunch. A big spinach salad was on the menu today! When I’m outside in the heat I really don’t care for heavy foods as much and find my appetite is less intense that normal. Summer salads are perfect!

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This bowl contained:

  • half a 5 ounce package of organic spinach
  • 1/2 cup kidney beans
  • 1/2 red pepper, sliced
  • sprinkle of toasted almond slices
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
  • 2 scoops homemade babaganoush
  • drizzle of Annie’s Woodstock dressing

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On the side, I had a piece of Ezekiel toast with raspberry preserves and a cup of blueberries and raspberries.

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And I’m about to make some herbal iced tea! I’m thinking mixing green tea with apricot white. Doesn’t that sound good?!

Time for a shower then I’m off to Total Wine & Whole Foods (Ryan will freak when he sees that I ate ALL the spinach! Must re-stock before he gets home!) to pick up a bottle of something for my BIRTHDAY DINNER tonight! I’m hunting for that lovely Greek white I sampled the other night at Wine Exchange. It epitomized summer in my book!

My mom is making grilled prawns and mahi mahi with some sort of banana papaya coulis. And then for dessert, my cake of choice (I actually came up with the recipe and will share it tonight or tomorrow with you…hopefully it works!)—a vegan carrot ginger walnut cake with (non-vegan) buttercream coconut icing.

See you tonight for a (second) birthday celebration recap!

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  • Joy
    June 13, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    ~Salad looks yummy and fresh!
    ~I have never heard of “The Reliable Wife”. I will check it out.

  • Maria
    June 13, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    The green tea-apricot white combination does sound divine, especially on a hot summer day. That salad looks very yummy with all those various flavors and textures. Oh my goodness that carrot cake sounds fabulous!

  • Jess
    June 13, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    Your summer lunch looks perfect 🙂
    Have a great birthday dinner. That cake sounds lovely!
    <3 jess

  • Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum
    June 13, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    vegan carrot cake!!! that sounds delicious girly. Enjoy your day and those books!

  • Tina
    June 13, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    That’s so funny, I was just reading about ‘the reliable wife’ yesterday. Please let us know how it is! have a great day!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    June 13, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Mmm what a delicious day of eats you have coming up!

    Glad you had a great swim…enjoy the rest of your afternoon!

  • Amanda
    June 13, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Your salad looks so good! That is my fav dressing by the way!!!

    I used to love swimming. I got so toned in high school when I was swimming all the time, in dance class my teacher would stop class to point out how skinny I was! I so wish there was a pool near me cuz its such a good workout and easy on the body!

  • Recipes for Creativity
    June 13, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    I just had a big salad for lunch, too! Something about the warm weather makes salad feel the best lunch choice on earth. I hope your birthday celebration part two is excellent.

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness)
    June 13, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    The swim sounds great, the salad looks delish, and I hope you have a wonderful second celebration! I’m so excited, Jenna; I made my first steel cut oats today. 🙂 Yum-may!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
    June 13, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    I’m so glad you discovered a new exercise to enjoy! It sounds like it’s a wonderful way for you to build up your endurance and stay fit while training.

    That salad looks just about perfect! 🙂 Enjoy your shopping trip and have a wonderful “birthday” evening!

  • JB
    June 13, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    i have a GREAT recipe for vegan carrot cake muffins. if you want it, let me know and i’d be happy to email it to you! i’m sure your dessert will turn out great, though. and i agree, green tea with apricot white sounds lovely. 🙂
    have a fun birthday dinner!

  • Emily L.
    June 13, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    Pretty berries.
    I’m off this afternoon in search of some yummy ones on sale.

  • kristi (sweet cheeks)
    June 13, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    Ah, that looks like a lovely summer lunch! I’m with ya; I can’t eat too much heavy stuff during the summer…I eat a bunch a salads and fruit and I’m a happy camper. 🙂

    Can’t wait to see how your cake turns out! It sounds fabulous!

  • Steph Runs the City
    June 13, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    swimming is so great, isn’t it? it was never my favorite sport, but i got into it last year as a great way to cross train. i hurt my foot a few months ago and my running coach also suggested trying some deep water running- i read your posts about that, and i’m glad to hear you like it! i can’t wait to try it out and see how it is 🙂

  • Emily
    June 13, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Yummy lunch, Jenna! I made my mom a vegan chocolate-raspberry cake with non-vegan chocolate ganache last week – definitely worth the part-vegan/part non-vegan!! It was so good and it sounds like yours is going to be too. Happy belated birthday!

  • faith
    June 13, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    hey jenna!! happy belated bday! im so glad things are going well! do you have any ideas for foodie stains on the counter? i’ve started up my blog again thanks to my friend loaning me her old dinasoar computer and decided a good way to get some traffic might be a giveaway but i want some input as well, was wondering if you might help lead some loyal readers there! i’ve also been doing the green monster and some raw goodies too!!! thanks so much, can’t way to hear more about the summit!

    http://cottchz.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/brainstorm-but-need-input/

    you might like it too, bc i don’t think you have a trader joes!

  • brandi
    June 13, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    i just read that article not too long ago! I thought of you and caitlin since you’ve been swimming more lately – it was a good one.

    birthday dinner sounds like fun! i hope you get some spinach before Ryan gets back 🙂

  • Tay
    June 13, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Rock that one piece speedo tan-line, girl!! It’s hot and you know it 😉

  • Adi (oatonomy.com)
    June 13, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    I’m so excited to see your cake — it sounds so scrumptious!

  • Erin
    June 13, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Hi Jenna! I’ve been a long time lurker on your blog – I love it!! I live in Tampa too and just started my own blog so come on over and say hi!

  • Andrea
    June 13, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    Hi Jenna,

    LOVE your blog! You are such an inspiration to me. I tried the Green Monster today and it was SO good.
    Question: Do you have it only in the morning for a reason? I had it around 3 pm after my workout…is that okay??

    Also, do you think it would be okay to refrigerate the Green Monster for the next morning? I don’t want to way my husband up with the blender at 6 am. 🙂
    Just thought I’d ask…

    Have a great birthday dinner with the family!

    Andrea

    • jenna
      June 13, 2009 at 4:14 pm

      Andrea,

      Lol! You can have it any time of day you wish! Ryan had one for dinner the other night and sometimes I’ll make one for an afternoon snack! You could refrigerate it but it might melt and settle. I’d say its best to make fresh…but you could try it! I’ve been known to take the blender into the guest bathroom so as to not wake up Ryan…haha!

  • Lizard
    June 13, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Please tell your family that Brent and I said hello
    Hope you enjoy this birthday dinner as much as Thursday.
    Take care

  • lila
    June 13, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    dear jenna, you are such a sweet inspiration all over the blog world..as for the boutari wine, i happen to know it very well as im greek!excellent choice..also the fage products are in my daily routine too..kisses from sunny and always super hot greece..have you ever visited?i think you’d become a huge fan of the meditellanean diet..trust me..

    • jenna
      June 13, 2009 at 4:13 pm

      Lila,

      Just bought the Boutari! Might be a new favorite of mine. I would love to go to Greece someday–my childhood best friend is half greek and used to go every summer. Not that I already have every detail of my (someday) wedding and honeymoon planned already (hahaha) but I would LOVE to go to Greece for the honeymoon! Maybe someday…….. 😉

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
    June 13, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    I always love seeing what books you’re reading. I think I saw you reading Sarah’s Key at some point, and it sounded so good I just got it from the library (there was a long request list for that one)!

  • RunToFinish
    June 13, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    swimming may be my only method of IT recovery, so I’m looking for a place today

  • Moran (The Running Addict)
    June 13, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    Thanks for sharing your reads! I always end up taking them from the library and really enjoying myself!

  • K
    June 13, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    I’m the same way with the heat – I can’t eat anything heavy! Yum to the vegan carrot cake!! Hope you enjoy it 🙂

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
    June 13, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Sounds like such a fun day!

  • Matt
    June 13, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    I can’t wait to see that cake!

  • meg
    June 13, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    Sounds like a lovely sun filled day! That cake sounds incredible!

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health
    June 13, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    Swimming is pretty amazing and I can see how it can be healing. I feel at peace when I am in a pool too.

    Glad you had fun soaking up some sun! Reading material looks good.

    Enjoy your other birthday dinner!

  • Marathon Val
    June 13, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Jenna, I love seeing the books you are reading…. I’m a school social worker and today is my first day of “summer” and I can’t wait to stack my dresser high with towers and towers of books!! It’s my favorite summer time activity – I’d love to read more about your favorite books in future postings!

  • Kate
    June 13, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    I love salads in the summer too. I can hardly eat a hot lunch anymore this time of year because of the weather.

    I am a swimming FREAK. I swim every day and I love the way it makes me feel.

  • Kimberly
    June 13, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    I’m trying so hard to get into swimming (I training for a triathlon) but I’m just not very good at it. Did you take a class or just start spending time in the pool and work at it?

    Delicious looking salad, too!

  • Angela
    June 13, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    I can imagine that swimming would be such a big relief of pent up emotions. I used to take lessons and even compete on a swim team but I didnt keep it up after we moved to Canada from FL. Maybe I should give it another go??

    PS- You bikini looks so cute!!