As the days roll on here in California, I’m really starting to feel more and more like I’m back in college. Let’s go through the checklist, shall we?
- I’m far away from home
- I have a part time job
- I just bought a new dictionary yesterday
- Facebook is taking over my life
- my typical uniform is jeans (circa 2004) and a sweatshirt
- I eat ice cream out of plastic wine glasses
- I search for nickles and pennies under my car seats to pay for Starbucks
- I eat way too much canned soup
- I do lunges across my house to stretch out my jeans
- I use my neighbor’s washer and dryer
- I’m broke 98% of the time
- I drink a lot of wine
- I have a big paper due….but this time instead of 500 words it’s 50,000 words.
Yep. Except this time my paper isn’t being graded by my favorite cute professor…instead it’s going to be for sale at Barnes and Noble next Spring. Hmph!
How was your humpday???! Mine was pretty uneventful but I’m counting down till tomorrow!
I love besties. And cocktails by the river….clearly.
This morning I had a pretty good/intense strength workout at the gym. Here was the routine:
5 minutes on elliptical to warm up
2 sets of tricep overhead pulldowns, 15 reps per set, 50 lbs
3 sets of lat pulldowns, 12 reps per set, 50 lbs
4 sets of walking lunges with medicine ball
4 sets of “flying leap squats” (and by this I mean you physically jump across the room, landing in a squat position each time. trust me on this one)
3 sets of hamstring curls on stability ball
3 sets of bicep curls, 12 reps per set, 10 lbs
3 sets of shoulder raises, 12 reps per set, 10 lbs
2 sets of assisted pull-ups, 60 lbs assisted weight, 15 reps per set
=30 minute workout
Showered and got ready at the gym then snacked on yogurt and almonds on route to work:
Like I said, I’ve been eating a lot of canned soup lately! It’s COLD outside!
Another new and delicious Amy’s!!! I added 1/2 cup black beans to this before I heated it up for a little extra kick of protein power and it was perfect. + leftover (you guessed it) kabocha on the side and an apple.
Luke was a love and hung out with me all day at work!
And, on my break, I ran to Cafe Gratitude and picked up a Yerba Mate latte with steamed almond milk. It was divine!
And an Honest Foods bar! This one was really hard and actually hurt my jaw though……odd.
So, for those of you that were wondering about the shipping for the Michel Schlumberger holiday catalog, it IS indeed FREE……however, that means free GROUND SHIPPING. If you choose fedex or “receive my package in 2-3 days”, it will charge you a discounted shipping rate. Also, the promo code of “jenna” is strictly for tracking purposes….everything in the catalog has been significantly discounted as is. Just FYI! 🙂
My day ended with us all sitting in the tasting salon, drinking Malbec. Typical.
Would you even believe I ate soup again for dinner??!
This is leftover homemade split pea soup with half an ezekiel muffin in it. It was peeeerfect on a chilly night like tonight!
I tried to write a little after dinner but then my sweet tooth started to kick in and I rationalized baking cookies because I have friends coming in town tomorrow….AND I really wanted to test out this new mix that the awesome people over at Kodiak Cakes sent me to try!!!
I usually stay far away from cookie and cake mixes but since I adore their pancake mix, I wanted to give this a try. I’m SO glad I did!!!!! The ingredients in this mix are simple and wholesome…..only 100% whole wheat flour, oats, dark chocolate and cane sugar…nothing weird or unusual. And all you do is add butter and an egg. Simple!
There are some days when a girl just needs a cookie and ice cream. That’s all. Today was one of those days.
This hot, gooey (whole wheat!) cookie is topped with mocha fudge coconut milk ice cream, which I am thoroughly convinced is God’s gift to the freezer department. Swooooooooon!
Speaking of swooning over food, guess who got invited to go to CHEZ PANISSE next week???!!!! Yep, I will making the trip down to Berkeley on Tuesday night and couldn’t be more excited. What to wear…what to wear???!!!! I may or may not have been perfecting a Chez Panisse outfit for, like, the last 10 years. 😉 SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, time to go be collegiate again and put my clothes in the dryer next door then work on my “paper”.
Have a restful evening!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans
December 2, 2009 at 8:22 pmI can TOTALLY relate to you on the whole “college” thing! Something about living alone really far away from home makes us revert back, and honestly, ice cream tastes WAY better eaten from a wine glass anyway!
Kara (Kara's Marathon)
December 2, 2009 at 8:24 pmYour list is making me miss college! I would add “You never get enough sleep”, but it sounds like you’re treating your body much better than I did when I was in school; I lived on pizza and Diet Coke! 🙂
Can’t wait to read your Chez Panisse review!!
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet
December 2, 2009 at 8:24 pmThat’s funny, I remember carrying my laundry down to the laundry room every week and having to space out a few a hour to do nothing but wait for laundry to be done. Oh college days. I wish I lived in my hoodie and jeans!! I will find a job where that is the dress code. 😉 Chez Panisse! YAY! How exciting is that?? Can’t wait to get a full report on the eats! I would be ecstatic! Have you planned your menu yet??
Emily Eats and Exercises
December 2, 2009 at 8:25 pmGood thing college was fun – a little recreation sounds like fun at all. At least you have a neighbor’s laundry to use…I still have to go to the laundromat.
lindsay
December 2, 2009 at 8:26 pmhaha your life sounds like fun, I LOVED my college days 🙂
Chez Panisse, I am so so excited for you!!!!
Jackie @ TritoLose
December 2, 2009 at 8:36 pmWhere can you find that yummy cookie mix?? I’m not sure that I’ve found it around my area. The cookies look great!
Brie (The Fit Bride)
December 2, 2009 at 8:37 pmWhat an interesting looking dog! I’ve never seen one that looks like that before.
Brie (The Fit Bride)
December 2, 2009 at 8:37 pmWhat an interesting looking dog! I’ve never seen one that looks like that before.
Lele
December 2, 2009 at 8:38 pmOh. My. God.
I am almost jealous of you, but actually… what would I do with my life if I got to go to Chez Panisse? I’d have nothing else to aspire to!
Amanda
December 2, 2009 at 8:38 pmlol, now I miss college…. and wearing hoodies every day! What a cute dog : )
Danielle
December 2, 2009 at 8:41 pmAh college 🙂 the good life. You know… if you’re going to be drinking copious amounts of wine, you may want to document it 😉 http://bit.ly/5nX2ig
Sam (Merit to the Carrot)
December 2, 2009 at 8:42 pmI can’t wait for college!!! Those cookies look delicious 🙂
candice
December 2, 2009 at 8:42 pmYour list just cracked me up. Thank you. And your cookie + ice cream made me drool just a little. Darn it. The fact that you get to go to Chez Panisse… lucky!!! Have fun and eat well!
Jesse
December 2, 2009 at 8:43 pmChez Panisse is actually very rustic-it’s like being in an elegantlog cabin. It’s so cozy, with low lighting, and no music in the background. And, it’s Berkeley, so they are not fussy about clothes there. I went for my 23rd birthday and was dressed to the nines…you can go either way, all dressed up, or more understated. I still have the menu placard from the meal…fabulous. Have fun! 🙂
skinnyrunner
December 2, 2009 at 8:48 pmhaha, i was born and raised in kodiak, alaska where all the bears are!
isnt chez panisse your dream restaurant to go to?? how cool and exciting!
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
December 2, 2009 at 8:49 pmThat cookie mix sounds awesome — I’m always disappointed by all the fake stuff in cookie mixes, so I’d love to give this one a try! That dog is ADORABLE, by the way. Can you give him a big hug for me? Have fun with your friends, and don’t worry, it’s ok to feel like you’re still in college. 🙂
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
December 2, 2009 at 8:52 pmMaybe I am clueless, but what does “circa” mean?
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run
December 2, 2009 at 8:53 pmYou’re super cute. I love your “college” list.
I am so jealous about Chez Panisse. Seriously, girl…your bucket list is getting smaller by the day! =)
Erica
December 2, 2009 at 8:56 pmDefinitely go with elastic waist pants!!!
legalstyle
December 2, 2009 at 8:59 pmoh ma gahhhhh
so freaking jealous!!!!! my bf is an engineer in berkeley but he *refuses* to take me there. he says its too hippy.
I will live vicariously through you!!!!! so jeal!
have fun with your friends tomorrow!
xo
TorontoGirloutWest
December 2, 2009 at 9:27 pmI TOTALLY had the same experience with an Honest Foods bar this weekend. Same flavour.
It was dry. And stale. And the taste and usual aroma wasn’t there. It was just plain old horrible.
To be honest, it would make me think twice before buying one again. Not unless they fix whatever issues they’re having!
Mama Pea
December 2, 2009 at 9:29 pmPlease tell me you squeezed in some time to watch Top Chef tonight…or do you already know how it ends 😉 ?
Melanie
December 2, 2009 at 9:29 pmIf you have some time before dinner, you should definitely explore the Berkeley area; there is so much good food to be had! I’m a student at Cal and I’ve been reading your blog since I first started school a few years back. It’s crazy to think you were living on the East Coast just a short while ago and now you’re here writing about Chez Panisse, which is practically in my backyard (I run past it several times a week)! Are you going to the Chez Panisse cafe (upstairs) or restaurant (downstairs)? I’m glad to see you’re enjoying the Bay Area!
Renee
December 2, 2009 at 9:34 pmOoh, I’m super excited to hear about your visit to Chez Panisse. I’m from Berkeley, and I interned as a pastry chef there last summer.
Julie @savvyeats
December 2, 2009 at 9:37 pmSounds about right for college life 🙂
Tay
December 2, 2009 at 9:46 pmhaha I loved the list!! Especially the part about the lunges. So true. And squats 😉
ellen eats beets
December 2, 2009 at 9:51 pmYOU ARE SO LUCKY TO BE GOING TO CHES PANISSE!!!!!!! Enjoy each and every bite mama!
Carbzilla
December 2, 2009 at 9:55 pmHooray for Chez Panisse! I wasn’t a foodie when I went there years ago so the experience was lost (though we had an amazing Opus One wine – I remember that). Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Karla
December 2, 2009 at 10:02 pmAHHHH SOOO JEALOUS YOU’RE GOING TO CHEZ PANISSE!!
I lived in Berkeley for 4 years and fit most of the college descriptions especially the broke 98% of the time so I never went 🙁
Can’t wait to read your review and see pictures!!
Ashley
December 2, 2009 at 10:03 pmcute college comparison 🙂
Kristin
December 2, 2009 at 10:26 pmYour cookies look delish!
Are you eating upstairs or downstairs? I ate at the cafe tonight! I have a friend who works there. Overall, dress is pretty casual compared to other fine dining spots. No need to break out the black dress 🙂 So glad you get to experience it!
Suzanne de Cornelia
December 2, 2009 at 10:38 pmAm reading ‘Four Hour Workweek’ Tim Ferriss–excellent/whole new way of conceptualizing a lot of things, including time/money management. ‘College list’ amusing…Suze Orman would say, ‘Write down all weekly expenses then extrapolate each to yearly cost and figure out what could have purchased with that. i.e. $3-4. a day on designer coffees is approx $1,000 a year….or a whole lot of cool J Crew stuff that lasts for years.
Your book will be a best-seller and you’ll have tons of dough. Maybe someone will give you a copy of ‘Guerrilla Marketing for Writers’ for Christmas and a year’s subscription to ‘Money Magazine’…along with a Mac Pro! I hit Whole Foods today to pick up the 365 Almond Butter you mentioned the other day. Forgot that! But…speaking of $$$. :-0 Not a good idea to go into WH w/o a list!
OrganicAshley
December 2, 2009 at 10:40 pmChez Panisse!!!!!!! man you have hit the holy grail. unbelievable jealous. which makes me wonder…have you read Ruth Reichl’s books you would love them! They are all amazing.
Val
December 2, 2009 at 11:44 pmGAH, so jealous of Chez Panisse!!!!
molly
December 3, 2009 at 12:00 amyum yum, those cookies look fab! and that dog is awesome – what kind is it?? so unusual-looking!
Ellen
December 3, 2009 at 2:06 amsounds like you’re having a ton of fun! i’m so jealous of your trip to chez panisse. alice waters was here in rome last week and i MISSED HER! she stayed for thanksgiving at the american academy in rome, apparently. bummer. enjoy!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
December 3, 2009 at 2:49 amCan;t wait to read about CHEZ PANISSE! 😉
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
December 3, 2009 at 3:45 amThat doggy is adorable. 🙂
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
December 3, 2009 at 3:47 amI also kept half of my daily eats in the glove compartment of my car in college. I would dodge to my car in between classes to scarf down some nourishment (usually some sort of protein bar and fruit).
Your dessert looks outstanding! What brand is that ice cream? AN Yerbe Matte latte sounds like the most divine afternoon pick-me-up.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
December 3, 2009 at 4:14 amHa! Sounds like college to me 🙂
Have with your friends!
laci
December 3, 2009 at 4:17 amhey!
I hope u r having a great day so far. I loved the collage list, really funny! I also <3 coconut milk ice cream hehe. Glad to hear u r having a great time with your friends, u 2 r really cute! 🙂
Carolyn
December 3, 2009 at 4:29 amCongrats on the invite!! Can’t wait to see the recap.
Naomi (onefitfoodie)
December 3, 2009 at 4:31 amhahaha the lunges across the house to stretch out jeans, thats fabulous! i still do that and not in college anymore 🙂 But I do remember having lots of canned soup! I try to have a little more homemade now but still have my beloved amy’s!
that cookie is WHOLE WHEAT?!?! too good to be true!
eatmovelove
December 3, 2009 at 4:38 amYeah, I want to go back too. I feel the same way sometimes.
It sucks – the Holidays are coming and I’m busy day and night…7 days a week! So…when am I supposed to get any ‘shopping’ done?, baking?…Xmas Show Watching !! Oye – too much going on in my head right now…
If you like Holiday Poems – check out my Blog – yes – it’s my LAME-O non-creative side.
Jenna, you are inspiring me to really try with the Writing thing. It’s something I’ve always thought about – but keep on failing or floundering with – or going back to square one. Just starting a Blog was a big step…but that doesn’t make money for a living 🙂
I also like that everyone is in awe and ‘jealous’ of you – haha – but still life is life – you still don’t have a washer/dryer, your still broke, you still struggle to find time, you can’t run (right now 😉 )…and yet – your happy.
That says alot about character.
Kristie Lynn
December 3, 2009 at 4:40 amThe coconut milk ice cream on the cookie looks divine. Think I’ll be recreating that real soon 😀
diana(mymarble rye)
December 3, 2009 at 4:50 amhahahah. It does sound like you are in college…majoring in..AN AWESOME LIFE. haha. so cheesy. Drink it up (meaning the soup and wine) and have fun tomorrow!
diana(mymarble rye)
December 3, 2009 at 4:50 amhahahah. It does sound like you are in college…majoring in..AN AWESOME LIFE. haha. so cheesy. Drink it up (meaning the soup and wine) and have fun tomorrow!
Anne P
December 3, 2009 at 4:50 amLol that dog looks like a little man! Hilarious. I also feel like I’m back in college only wearing jeans all the time.
Have fun with the girls today 🙂 I’ll be there in t-minus less than ONE MONTH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Cara
December 3, 2009 at 4:57 amIce cream is my go-to dessert…I probably eat to way too much…oh well, it’s worth it 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
December 3, 2009 at 5:07 amHey Jenna– favorite cute English professor at CofC– Joe Kelly??
I loved him 🙂
And hey– I WISH I was back in college! Those were the days!
VeggieGirl
December 3, 2009 at 5:07 amAww, Luke! Too handsome 😀
Good luck with your “paper” – you’ll rock it out, I know it!
Chez Panisse = FABULOUS!! Dress up for sure, haha.
VeggieGirl
December 3, 2009 at 5:08 amP.S. – sorry about Facebook taking over, since I’m sure I’m contributing to that, haha **hides in shame**
Paige (Running Around Normal)
December 3, 2009 at 5:15 amhaha yep – those are definitely all qualifications for “college student!” You got it down 😉 Nice workout at the gym!! Way to squeeze it in before work, girl! Those cookies look wonderful. That was very erm, thoughtful of you to make them for your guests! hehe
Have a great day, and hooray for going to Chez Pannise!
Sammie
December 3, 2009 at 5:19 amI would love to find a place in MA that offers steamed almond milk for your coffee. Enjoy the visit with your girlfriends.
Matt
December 3, 2009 at 5:30 amThose cookis look awesome 🙂
lz
December 3, 2009 at 5:31 am50,000 words? Wow! Best wishes for your writing process! I look forward to reading your book once it comes out. 🙂
Oh, and soup is totally awesome… No shame in having it for two meals in one day! 🙂 Amy’s is incredible, I’m hooked on the lentil soup right now.
Sarah W.
December 3, 2009 at 5:32 am1) omg I had never heard that lunges across the room will help stretch out jeans!! thanks for the tip! My size 10s are too big, but one of my 8s (stretch material) desperately needs stretching out. I successfully stretched out the other pair of 8s by wearing them for like 2 weeks w/o washing (a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do) 😉
2) awesome workout – I love doing 30 min strength workouts – killer
3) I baked last night too! ‘cept I made VEGAN chocolate chip cream cheese brownies from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s Vegan Cookies cookbook. They are just as decadent as they sound and trust me when I tell you that the cream cheese tastes exactly like NONVEGAN cream cheese brownies would taste!
yummmmmmmm I didnt touch them either – I had a lick last night when I tried to cut them too early and they weren’t hard. and I had another lick this morning when I realized I didnt cook them enough – yum yum!
Yasmin
December 3, 2009 at 5:36 amLove the list! I thought I was the only one who did lunges in my jeans to stretch them out 🙂
Courtney
December 3, 2009 at 5:39 amOohh the searching for coins to pay for starbucks and the living off of soup definitely sounds like my life right now. At least there’s some fun and adventure in it! I’ve fallen in love with Amy’s soups.
Meredith
December 3, 2009 at 5:47 amI’ve totally done lunges to stretch out my jeans before!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
December 3, 2009 at 5:53 amI hope you have a great time with your friends 🙂
Erin
December 3, 2009 at 5:53 amLoved this! Hey, we’re allowed to pretend to still be in school while we’re in our 20s. 😉
Laura
December 3, 2009 at 5:54 amLOVE the list! You pretty much described my life to a T…oh college!
Evan Thomas
December 3, 2009 at 6:03 amLol, I’m in college and I think you way more fit the description than I do
Pam
December 3, 2009 at 6:04 amLuke is one cool pup! Glad your friends will be there soon!
Enjoy!
Laura Georgina
December 3, 2009 at 6:06 amThat list is too funny! Back in college, my makeup bag lived in the car… and it does again now, too 🙂
What kind of dog is Luke? He’s gorgeous and has such an odd face….
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
December 3, 2009 at 6:26 amhahaha, love that list!! i am all about the jean lunges :O)
Katie
December 3, 2009 at 6:31 amOh wow yummy looking cookies!
Check out my blog – new giveaway and workout songs!
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/
Katie
Cait (Cait's Plate)
December 3, 2009 at 6:33 amCafe Gratitude?! I LOVE that!
Are there seriously hand-written gratitudes written on each cup?? That’s amazing.
And WHAT! Whole Wheat Oatmeal dark chocolate cookie mix!??! THAT IS AMAZING!!!
emily
December 3, 2009 at 6:47 amCongrats on your dinner invite, I remember you being excited about standing outside a couple weeks ago, how fun that you get to actually eat there!
Kelly from Bridges and Bites
December 3, 2009 at 6:53 amhahaha! sometimes i feel like my husband and i are college roommates (but totally in love!) i think that’s “young adult” life!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
December 3, 2009 at 7:08 amSuch a true list!!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
December 3, 2009 at 7:11 amI love the list :-). i cannot wait to read your review of Chez Panisse – you sound beyond thrilled. Enjoy every bite!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
December 3, 2009 at 7:11 amThat dog is so precious!!! I love the name of that coffee shop too- Gratitude? Perfect!
Nicole (dishin')
December 3, 2009 at 7:35 amLove your list…it reminds me of college for sure! I miss having a little more downtime to hang out in sweats. Not that you’re not busy! Haha. Those cookies look fantastic, too!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner
December 3, 2009 at 8:03 amOh I still do lunges to stretch my jeans out…nothing wrong with that.
Congrats on Chez Panisse! I am sooo jealous!
Susan
December 3, 2009 at 8:56 amLove reading your workouts! I’m a total workout geek and like to see what moves people are doing 😉
Hm. I have a “real” job and have to pay for coffee with nickels too… 😛
Rachel @ Shedding It
December 3, 2009 at 9:15 amUmmm yep, I might be in college too! 🙂
jeri
December 3, 2009 at 10:10 amHaha the best part is the lunge/stretch out jeans move. I think every girl has perfected that. Haha.
Lucy
December 3, 2009 at 10:26 amOh Gawd, please tell me that’s Purely Decadent Made with Coconut Milk Mocha Almond Fudge, so I can start licking my screen. It’s my favorite new indulgence!
Jenna
December 3, 2009 at 10:37 amhaha i love how you feel like you are a college student, too funny! those cookies with ice cream look soo good and soup is the perfect meal on chilly days!
jenna
Kelly B.
December 3, 2009 at 12:16 pmOkay, your list was cracking me up!!! I loved it…and it is ALL true! Thanks for making me smile! 🙂
Jessica @ Jessica Balances
December 3, 2009 at 12:38 pmYour list is perfect! I’m still in college, and yep, all of that totally applies. ESPECIALLY being broke 98% of the time… Good times! haha
Jessica @ Jessica Balances
December 3, 2009 at 12:39 pmAlso – you should do a video of your “flying leap squats.” They sound hard… and pretty funny.
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
December 3, 2009 at 1:02 pmooooh those cookies look great! They wouldn’t last long in our house…….
haha i LOVE the jean-stretch manouvre! I have CERTAINLY engaged in such a manouvre once or twice (aka lots of times!)
hungryforbalance.wordpress.com
December 3, 2009 at 2:10 pmI just discovered coconut milk ice cream and think I’ve found heaven! I’ve only tried the vanilla- so good!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast?
December 3, 2009 at 3:22 pmGreat post! I love that purple dress :). Still can’t find coconut icecream but I’m hoping to find it in Hawaii while I’m here!
Ashley
December 3, 2009 at 4:12 pmAwesome post!
1] LOL about the lunges to stretch out your jeans
2] the yerba mate with steamed almond milk sounds to die for…what place offers almond milk!!?? nice!
3] SO cool about getting to go to Chez Panisse. I got to meet Alice Waters about 1.5yrs ago! She was speaking in Charlotte, NC and had a book signing. She actually talked to me for a few minutes because I told her my thesis topic was on “food + architecture”…she gave me a few book recommendations and told me if she wouldn’t have chosen to be a chef she would have been an architect! Can’t wait to hear about your meal 🙂
Meggilizz
December 3, 2009 at 4:12 pmOMG that bowl of ice cream & cookies looks DIVINE!!!!!!! I’m totally with you on the soup thing too, I love it in the cold months! 🙂
Brittany
December 3, 2009 at 4:46 pmI miss college!!
My last honest foods plank was extremely hard- I wonder what the deal is?
Danielle
December 3, 2009 at 6:13 pmMMMMMmmmm…those cookies look so good!
diana(mymarble rye)
December 3, 2009 at 6:31 pmHave a fabbo day. I anticipate tons of wine, chocolate, and giggles.
Jess (What's Normal, Anyways?)
December 3, 2009 at 6:42 pmSoup is my favorite food, so I can totally rationalize eating it 2, if not 3 times a day!
And I could also TOTALLY rationalize drinking malbec after work everyday too.
Have fun with your roomies this weekend!