Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

A Nostalgic Craving

Instead of going to the gym today, I decided to do a yoga download. These ALWAYS make me feel better and today’s 60 minute Core Yoga did not fail me. It felt so great to stretch my muscles, which have become tighter after running so much lately. This session reallyyyyy works your abs! Between boat pose and plank pose, you get your money’s worth—I promise!

After yoga, I baked a container of tofu. Oh! How I have missed baked tofu!!!!! I pressed it for 30 minutes, divided it into four slices and rubbed each slice with a tsp of extra virgin olive oil, some soy sauce, onion flakes, garlic powder, cayenne and sea salt. Baked at 400 for about 35 minutes, turning each slice after 15 minutes. Splendid!

So, dinner tonight was half the tofu container (2 pieces), a baked sweet potato and a huuuuge spinach salad with feta, grape tomatoes and light balsamic vin.

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It felt really good to eat these simple, yet very satisfying foods. Baked tofu is so nostalgic for me since it has been one of my very favorite dinner options for years and years.

My mom gave me this over the weekend:

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She got it in a hotel she stayed at while traveling for business and I think its my new love. Seriously. I put it on my sweet potato tonight and it was divine. I don’t think yall can make out all the ingredients so here they are—sugar, ground ginger, whole clove, whole ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, maple granules. Can you say holy oatmeal?!! This would be the perfect addition to a festive fall bowl of oats! I plan to use it in everything….I just love fall spices!

I unpacked, cleaned up and worked on my bible study for awhile after dinner and then made a snackie dessert mess: 1/2 cup whipped cottage cheese with 1/2 cup H2H with a smidge of pb and blackberry preserves:

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Tomorrow is back at the grind! I feel like I have been gone for so long—it’s weird! However, I do have something to look forward to! After work, I’m going to go see The Secret Life of Bees with Betty and then meet her husband for dinner after the movie. I’m SO excited to see this movie because I loved the book. We are going out to a restaurant called The French Quarter, which obviously serves authentic New Orleans creole-style food. I loooooove this kind of food so I can’t wait!
For my Chicago readers—–would anyone be interested in a potential meet-up on Sunday morning (11/9)?? We are throwing around ideas right now but I wanted to see how many people would be interested!

Edited to add: It’s 8:15 and I just had one of those Kashi Soft Baked Cereal Bars because I was staaaaarving. I don’t think I had enough carbies in my diet today!!!! Off to go watch the Rays and read!

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  • Becca A
    October 27, 2008 at 11:29 pm

    That sugar looks so yummy.

  • VeggieGirl
    October 27, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    I too had a sweet potato 🙂

    Gingerbread sugar??? So intriguing!!!

    I’m sooo envious of a potential Chicago meet-up!! I go there all the time, but I’m not there now 🙁

  • haya
    October 27, 2008 at 11:51 pm

    that sugar looks amazing!! i’m sure it will be fantastic on everything.

    my mom gave me the secret life of bees book for christmas but i was unable to really get into it. i am wondering about the movie though. let us know what you think!

  • Mariposa
    October 28, 2008 at 12:19 am

    oh jenna you read my mind.. i was craving a sweet potato today! i am going to make one for dinner tomorrow i think! so jealous of the new spices.. lol it looks so good

  • Megan
    October 28, 2008 at 12:19 am

    Gingerbread sugar!! I am screaming “Holy Oatmeal!” I have to get my hands on some of that!

  • BeeElle
    October 28, 2008 at 12:38 am

    Def up for a potential 11/9 meet up!

  • lee
    October 28, 2008 at 12:38 am

    Whoa-i feel like that too. we had sweet potatoes in our cafe today but they didn’t look that appetizing. where do you get the whipped cottage cheese from?

  • Gingersnap
    October 28, 2008 at 12:59 am

    That sugar looks divine! I read the secret life of bees and loved it :). One of these days I’ll have to attempt baking tofu- I’m a little intimidated, but everyone seems to love it!

  • jenna
    October 28, 2008 at 1:01 am

    Lee,

    I got the whipped cottage cheese from my local grocery store. It’s Friendship brand.

  • Amy
    October 28, 2008 at 1:02 am

    ooh that gingerbread sugar sounds sooo unique and delicious! maybe i can try to recreate it? hmm. your dinner & dessert look fabulous. have a nice evening jenna 😀

  • Runjen
    October 28, 2008 at 1:05 am

    Wow, that sugar looks Uh-mazing! I wonder if there if it can be bought anywhere online? If I can’t find it, I might have to try to recreate it. Can’t wait to hear how delish it tastes in your oatmeal.

  • Anne L
    October 28, 2008 at 1:14 am

    Jenna, we must have the same taste in books because two of my favorites are The Secret Life of Bees and I am Charlotte Simmons! I saw the movie with my mom this weekend and we both loved it.

    Also, I am from Chicago and was so hoping that you and Kath would be able to meet up with some readers! Please let me know when you come up with some more details.

  • Evey
    October 28, 2008 at 1:31 am

    I’d love to meet up Jenna.. but it all depends if I’m able to go into the city that weekend.

    I shall let you know!

  • Amanda
    October 28, 2008 at 1:33 am

    That sugar mix looks sooo good! I’ll have to reproduce at home with Splenda. Yum!

  • Janine
    October 28, 2008 at 1:37 am

    could definitely be up for a meet up. keep us posted!

  • Erica
    October 28, 2008 at 1:43 am

    Gingerbread sugar?? OMGosh! That sounds amazing…and I bet it is fantastic on sweet potatoes! Hey, I may get time to go by Whole Foods tomorrow in STL! I am so excited! I hope we have time. Email me any suggestions you may have that are MUST HAVES in case I get to go! Have a good day tomorrow, Love!
    ~e

  • chirunner
    October 28, 2008 at 2:01 am

    I’d love to meet up on 11/9 if I’m not traveling for work – let me know if I can help with reservations or other logistics!

  • Rose
    October 28, 2008 at 2:10 am

    Wow – dinner looks great. Love that giant potato!

  • Kelly Olexa
    October 28, 2008 at 2:27 am

    Girl, I’ve been reading your blog for a while (drooling) but I don’t think I’ve left a comment until today! (why, not sure!) But your blog is SO AWESOME and you have such great healthy food ideas. And how you can make all those cakes and not eat them whole, I don’t know! I give you snaps all around!
    Just posted a shout out to your blog today on mine. Keep it up.
    😉
    K

  • Biz
    October 28, 2008 at 2:33 am

    Would love to meet you! My 16 year old daughter is getting all kinds of inspiration from your blogs!

    Keep us posted on the details!

  • Mel
    October 28, 2008 at 2:44 am

    I’m a little farther north, (Milwaukee), but would be willing to come down if you guys are going to do a meet-up. Keep us posted!

  • Erin
    October 28, 2008 at 3:17 am

    I’ve been reading your blog for a while, as well as lots of similar blogs, and trying to work out what the heck ‘evoo’ is. I knew it referred to oil, but I thought it was a brand (and perhaps it is!). Finally, this post has made me realise what it means! Took me long enough! 😛

  • Ellie
    October 28, 2008 at 3:23 am

    First of all that gingerbread sugar looks amazing! Second of all I am soooo excited for a Chicago meetup. I can definitely do the morning of 11/9.

  • emily
    October 28, 2008 at 3:29 am

    Your spice mix looks very exciting. Also, every time you put up a picture of your baked tofu I’m tempted to pull mine out of the freezer and shove it in my face raw!

  • monica
    October 28, 2008 at 8:55 am

    Okay, I am DEFINITELY making that baked tofu. I can see it now: tofu with a roasted acorn squash with a side of sauteed kale. It’s going to be awesome. I’m with you: simple foods are so satisfying. They are good to THINK as much as they are to eat. Thank you for sharing!

  • jenna
    October 28, 2008 at 10:20 am

    Erin,

    Hahaha evoo is extra virgin olive oil 🙂

  • Beadie
    October 28, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    The baked tofu looks great!

  • Teddy
    October 28, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    wow that ginger sugar looks GREAT… i wonder if i can make my own version at home…. hmmm 🙂

    teddy

  • runjess
    October 28, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    What do you use to press your tofu?

  • Kelly
    October 28, 2008 at 2:42 pm

    The birthday cake you made for your mother looks yummy by the way. I can tell you have come a long way and are definitely getting skilled at your cake decorating.

  • Tina
    October 28, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    Gingerbread sugar, huh? I bet I would love that!!! 🙂

  • Rachel
    October 28, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    A meet-up would be great! Keep us posted on the details:)

  • Fancy
    October 28, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Hi Jenna!
    I live in Chicago and would love to get together! Please include me on any emails you send about it or anything. FUN!

  • Sarah M
    October 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    Gingerbread sugar sounds to die for.

    I tried to make your baked tofu last week but it was awful! I definitely messed it up somehow….or maybe I just don’t like tofu afterall.

  • JavaChick
    October 28, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    I read that book a while back and enjoyed it. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the movie. 🙂

  • Julia
    October 28, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Yes, I would absolutely love to meet up on 11/9 – that would be great! Let us in Chicago know! 🙂

  • LadyLara
    October 28, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    Meeting up 11/9 am works for me!

  • Christine
    October 29, 2008 at 1:04 am

    Where was your mom traveling? The sugar looks like its from a store here in St.Paul, MN. Same packaging. The store is called the Golden Fig. They have all kinds of great spices and such.

  • PW
    October 29, 2008 at 1:31 am

    That tofu looks excellent!

    How did you make it exactly? Just a tsp of each of the ingredients you listed?

    Thanks! 🙂

  • Kelly
    October 29, 2008 at 1:59 am

    It would be great to meet up in Chicago! Please keep me posted when you know more details 🙂

  • Angie
    October 29, 2008 at 3:01 am

    Depending on the time, I would totally love to try to meet up with you and Kath if possible. Please feel free to email me direct. I’m in the NW suburbs if that makes a difference. Thanks!

  • jenna
    October 29, 2008 at 10:30 am

    PW,

    The only thing I measure out is the oil….I use 4 tsp of oil per 1 lb container of tofu…the rest of the ingredients I just eyeball and rub on the tofu slices! I hope you make it, its awesome. 🙂

    Runjess,

    I use about 15 cookbooks. Haha

  • Erin
    October 29, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Jenna, I’m an Aussie, and I’ve never heard it referred to as evoo here 🙂 Might be an American thing!!

  • Catherine
    October 29, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Your tofu look soooo good. I think I may have messed up when making mine last night (a little burned). I’ll have to try this method.

  • Karen
    October 29, 2008 at 6:16 pm

    Hi Jenna,
    I live in Chicago and have been meaning to ask if you (and I believe Kath will be in town as well) are planning on meeting up. I’d love to meet you, and I’d also love to find some gingerbread sugar!!!

    Karen.Grisham@gmail.com