Well, I’m packing up here and getting ready to go, and it’s strange because I won’t be back for 9 days! I’m a little nervous for this afternoon just because I honestly have NO IDEA what I’m getting myself into or what to expect! All I was told was to show up in the kitchen with my uniform on! Yikes! I was going to get up and run this morning but I think I’m going to take a rest day so I can finish getting everything done around here. There’s a gym where I’m staying and its quite nice, so I’m going to ask if I can use that for the next couple days in the morning.
I was going to make scottish oats with almond butter this morning for breakfast but then I thought I will probably be eating oatmeal for the next 9 days so today I went for something different! I made the Basic Pancakes from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch using vanilla hemp milk instead of the rice milk it calls for and they turned out great!! The recipe was SO easy and the pancakes were really quite healthy, using whole wheat pastry flour, hemp milk and only 1 tbsp of canola oil. I ate 2 1/2 pancakes andย topped them with hot maple syrup andย had an Amy’s meatless breakfast patty and a small banana on the side.
I’m fueled for my day now and who knows what the food situation will be like. I’ve always said in the past its good to be prepared and I know for a fact that in the room I’m staying in there is a microwave and a fridge so I am bringing some Sweet Potato Lentil Chili with me (its frozen but will defrost in the car ride over there) to have when I get there for lunch before I go to the kitchen. I might be weird, but I really hate relying on others for my food. Mainly because I eat very very healthy and, obviously, no meat. I have lived on pb&j for 3 days straight before while on a fishing trip with Ryan’s family, so if I can survive that, I can def. do this!
See you when I get there!
ps- here’s a picture of my new “pore-free” purse!
MLT
March 29, 2008 at 12:14 pmLove the pore-less purse, it’s super cute! I have purse envy…sigh…
Enjoy your new adventure, i’m sure you’ll do great!
ibex hk
March 29, 2008 at 12:29 pmGOOD luck, it is an adventure!! I’m excited to hear how it goes ๐ have fun!
Betsy
March 29, 2008 at 12:52 pmi also don’t like to rely on others for my food…i always take food with me. makes sense to me!!
enjoy your adventure…keep an open mind so you learn alot!! I did a similar thing when I was 18, working directly with a pastry chef for about a month, and as much as I was scared shitless at first, I learned soooo much. and of course…this is what you love to do so HAVE FUN!!!
Susan
March 29, 2008 at 1:18 pmJenna, I love the purse! No wonder if you asked if it was leather, it looks real!
I froze some chickpea cutlets a few weeks ago and they got super icy. How do you pack items you freeze. I used tuperware (is there a special type of tuperware container I should be using). Do you wrap them in anything? Thanks ๐ and Good luck you’ll do great!
Kelly L.
March 29, 2008 at 1:37 pmAttention Bookies! I know we had this conversation yesterday but I need some help. I finished Water for Elephants last night (loved it by the way) and now I need a new book. I can’t go a night without having something to read. I love fun, girly books, but books that have depth as well (like Elephants). I don’t like mystery or crime books. If it helps, some of my favorites have been
– Barefoot by Elin Hildabrand
– All of Sophie Kinsellas books
– Eat Pray Love
– Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
– Something Borrowed & Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Any ideas? I go through a book a week almost so these are just a few that stood out that I really liked. Oh, and yes, I have read In Defense of Food. It was okay, kinda boring.
Any help would be great. I love a book that I can’t put down!
Romina
March 29, 2008 at 1:39 pmYum! Your breakfast looks delicious. Good luck on your trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it. =)
Betsy
March 29, 2008 at 1:40 pmKelly
I love the book “Fortune’s Rock” by Anita Shreve. I think it’s her best book. I’ll try to think of more. I spend about 3 hours everyday on the subway so I read alot!
diana
March 29, 2008 at 2:01 pmI just have to say that I love how you are prepared with your food, that is just awesome – leave nothing to chance!
Have a great 9 days!
Julz
March 29, 2008 at 2:03 pmWow! That sounds SO exciting ๐ Haha, like it’s a reality show or something! Best of luck Jenna, and make sure to keep us posted on everything! Can’t wait to hear…
ibex hk
March 29, 2008 at 2:13 pmKelly L-
Must reads:
The Namesake
Lovely Bones
Secret Life of Bees
Bee Season
Summer Girls (haha judy blume..love it ๐ )
Kite Runner
The Glass Castle (really loved this, just finished a bit ago)
Middlesex (a bit more intense, lengthy..but great!)
The Poisonwod Bible (also a bit more dense, but a must read)
those are some that immediately come to mind..let me know what you pick!
~hk
VeggieGirl
March 29, 2008 at 2:38 pmMy family and I always take our own food for trips, when commuting and such – sounds like you’ve got the right idea as well!
Your breakfast looks spectacular; as does your new bag!! I KNEW you’d find a great bag on your recent shopping trip :0)
Get ready for an amazing vacation, Jenna, filled with wonderful opportunities and relaxation! Enjoy!
Tina O.
March 29, 2008 at 3:09 pmUgh! I wish I wold have stayed in and had a bath instead of sitting in a bar with my husbands’ married friends (long story) watching them all hit on girls! ewww.
Anyway, books to read, I LOVE so many, its so hard, but a few great ones:
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-bons-its not what it sounds like-really good
I second The Lovely Bones
Remember Me-Sophie Kinsella’s latest
The Summerhouse-Jude Devereaux
Girls Night Out & Girls Night In-these books are a bunch of short stories written by all the chick-lit girls-which I still have waiting
Hope this helps, happy reading!
Kelly L.
March 29, 2008 at 3:18 pmThanks for the book recommendations. I have my list and I’m going to head to Barnes & Nobles and check them all out. I’ll read the first few pages of each and see what engages me. I’m debating between Lovely Bones, Summer Sisters and Fortunes Rock. I’m also thinking about some of Nicholas Sparks books.
I grew up riding and showing horses and just realized that Sara Gruen, authoer of Water for Elephants, has two horse themed novels. I might check those out too. Ahhhh! To many choices!
Ryan
March 29, 2008 at 5:11 pmok for the record, on the fishing trip Jenna is talking about, contrary to her opinion its not like all we offered her was steak, ribs, and pork for 3 days. We ate at several nice restaurants.
Have fun in Vero, cant wait for you to come home to Tampa!
Ashley
March 29, 2008 at 5:22 pmI can totally relate Jenna. When I come home for the weekend I bring a whole bag full of food so that I have healthy things to eat just in case!! So youre not alone! Anyways pb and jelly sandwiches are the best!
I saw someone suggested secret life of bees. It is my favorite book!
Good Luck the next 9 days I am sure you will learn a ton and we all are looking forward to hearing about your adventures in the kitchen.
Eliza
March 29, 2008 at 5:29 pmis there any almond butters out there that are under 5 or 6 bucks? the only ones i have seen are above 10 dollars!
Jill
March 29, 2008 at 6:58 pmI’m the same way, I have to have my own food as I cannot stand eating the way some people do! I hope it’s not rude to them, but ah well.