Thank you all SO much for all your thoughts and prayers—my Grandpa’s surgery lasted about 6 1/2 hours today but he made it!!!! Around 4:00 I got a very emotional call from my mom saying that a nurse told them that they were and bandaging him up. Now, the next couple days are very very very critical and risky and he will be in ICU but my mom is coming home tomorrow and I’m feeling a lot better about the situation.
My goddess garbanzos were soooo good today! Seriously, if you have this cookbook, make this recipe tomorrow. If you don’t have this cookbook, go buy it! Then, around 2:00 one of my managers came in with a surprise for me: a seaweed salad from the chic sushi place next door. How sweet! They knew I was feeling very anxious and nervous and the seaweed salad was delicious. I also ate my puffins about half an hour after that.
For dinner, I decided upon pasta. I tried out Lindsay’s alfredo sauce recipe and added peas. I used whole wheat shells and it was very good and quite filling! Next time I think I would scale down on the amount of nutritional yeast used because it was almost too thick. I used the fullest amount, 1/2 cup (I cut the recipe in two). I also had a salad with spinach, carrots and cucumbers and some ginger dressing that my roommate left in the fridge weeks ago.
I’m out the door to school. This week is going to be crazy because its my final week of the class and all week long we are preparing for the final exhibition on Thursday where we all are inviting guests to come and sample and see our work.
Mel H
April 21, 2008 at 9:40 pmyumm that mac and cheese looks great! How much and how often do you all eat advacados? I’m kind of obsessed and eat a whole one in day sometimes (like today)- I know they are healthy but fattening (good fat)- how much is too much if I also eat pb daily? thanks!!
jenna
April 21, 2008 at 9:43 pmMel H,
I don’t know if I would eat an entire avocado in one sitting but if you space it out I think its fine. Think of it this way: 1/4th of an avocado is 80 calories and like 6 grams of fat (approximately). I usually keep my serving size to 1/4 when I put it on a sandwich or something. They ARE healthy but, like everything, are best in moderation!
kathy
April 21, 2008 at 9:44 pmJenna,
Ryan tells me your grandfather came through the long surgery which is a good sign and I will keep praying for his continuing recovery.
Cute pictures of Erin’s Party, I haven’t seen any from her yet. By the way, your peanutbutter/chocolate pie was wonderful, Kent and I both loved it.
Love,
Ryan’s Mom
Julz
April 21, 2008 at 9:45 pmYAYYY GRANDPA! 🙂 So relieved to hear that the surgery went well!!! I bet you feel as though a HUGE weight has been lifted off of your shoulders! And you should 🙂
Enjoy your classes tonight!
Becca A
April 21, 2008 at 9:52 pmJenna,
so glad to hear the surgery went ok! I’ll continue to send good thoughts for a safe recovery!
Lori- the pleasantly plump vegan
April 21, 2008 at 10:01 pmi hope yr Grandpa has a speedy recovery!
Kath
April 21, 2008 at 10:07 pmJenna,
So glad your grandfather made it through surgery. Sending some hugs your way!
kath
Mel H
April 21, 2008 at 10:10 pmthanks Jenna. i’ll contain myself next time! haha it’s just hard to only eat 1/4 ! have a great night at work
ibex hk
April 21, 2008 at 10:13 pmSo glad to hear your grandfather made it through the surgery, I’ll be thinking of him over these next few days, as well. Sending you and your family hugs and warm wishes for a successful recovery.
Dinner looks yummy, have a good day at school 🙂
Anna
April 21, 2008 at 10:18 pmJenna,
I’ve been a lurker here forever and I felt this was the time to make my first reply. You don’t know me at all, but I just lost my grandfather in October due to Colon cancer. I know the anxious feeling of wondering whether or not someone you love is going to make it through a risky surgery all too well. So, I really felt for you today.
I just wanted you to know that I prayed really hard today and have been thinking about you and your situation since you first mentioned the problems your grandfather was having. I’ve been checking the blog all day waiting for an update, I’m so glad it was a positive one! Just stay strong as you have and I hope everything turns out for the better! 🙂
BTW- Everything you make looks so scrumptious, I look forward to your posts everyday.
Have a good night in class!
~Anna
VeggieGirl
April 21, 2008 at 10:18 pmOh my goodness, I am SO relieved to read that your grandfather made it through surgery – just goes to show what faith and prayer can do :0) Hooray!!
I will DEFINITELY check out that goddess garbanzos recipe, since I’ve been eyeing that recipe for quite a while; and how sweet of your manager to bring you a seaweed salad!! Talk about a delicious gesture :0)
Looks like you had a great, comforting dinner as well. Good luck tonight at school!
Romina
April 21, 2008 at 10:28 pmConratulations! That’s great news!!
Alyssa
April 21, 2008 at 10:31 pmI am sssoooo glad your grandpa made it through the surgery ok! I will keep praying and hoping he does well the next several days. I hope class goes great tonight! Can’t wait to see pics of Thursday night’s yummy food!
-Alyssa
bikergurl
April 21, 2008 at 10:34 pmI’m so glad to hear your grandfather made it through his surgery! I hope that alleviates your stress a little bit and hope for a fast recovery.
Steph
April 21, 2008 at 10:38 pmyay! i’ll keep him in my thoughts the next few days<3
and your dinner looks delicious
babycakes
April 21, 2008 at 10:49 pmJenna, I think our prayers are working! I am so relieved to hear that he made it through. I know today was a very tough day. You are amazing for having the ability to stay so strong and positive through this whole ordeal!
So glad you enjoyed your chickpeas at lunch, as well as your dinner.
I’m totally with you on the stress of finals these next coming two weeks. I am tearing my hair out (not literally, haha!) trying to manage final exams and final projects! It will all be over before we know it though!
Hope you’re having a great evening!
AshleyP
April 21, 2008 at 11:01 pmGlad your grandfather is through the surgery! Continued warm wishes for a fast recovery.
Ruby Red Vegan
April 21, 2008 at 11:56 pmyay that the g-pa is doing okay! we’re all hoping for your family that he recovers fabulously and that he’s as good and new as a shiny penny! =)
those shells looks cream-ay and delicious!
Ashley H
April 22, 2008 at 12:35 amI am so glad to hear about your grandfather. I hope he continues to get better over the next few days!
By the way, that pasta looks A Maz Ing! You make me sad that I live in a college dorm with no kitchen! This is my last semester without a kitchen so I’ll be fine.
Oh and by the way I finally made those supercharge me cookies! My batch made about 16. I was interested to see the calories on them and they were about 140 calories each. I like to have two. Do you think thats too many calories for a snack? Oh no Long Post!!
Ashley H
April 22, 2008 at 12:36 amI was wondering if anyone has IBS that reads this blog? I think I may have it and I would really like to talk to someone who has it or knows someone who does. Thanks!
Cassie
April 22, 2008 at 12:43 amThat is great news about your grandfather!
Heather
April 22, 2008 at 1:40 amI am glad to hear that your grandfather’s surgery went well. My uncle, who is a diabetic, just had open heart surgery a couple of weeks ago, so my family went through the same thing. It was rough.
Let’s hope for a speedy recovery!
Kristin
April 22, 2008 at 3:14 amJenna help!
I know you’ve used and like Follow Your Heart vegan cheeses before, I just recently bought some, enjoyed it, and went to go use it again (only a few days later) and it had gone COMPLETELY MOLDY! I was so sad, has this happened to you? If not, how do you store yours? I mustn’t have had the bag I had mine in sealed correctly or something… I’d love your advice on this! I want to keep eating vegan cheese!!
Cara
April 22, 2008 at 4:45 amThat is soo good to hear. I will be thinking healthy thoughts for your Grandpa 🙂
Clara
April 22, 2008 at 6:25 amhehehe Julz comment that began “YAYY GRANDPA!” made me giggle out loud for some reason 😀 Jenna, I am so happy for you and your family. What a blessing!!!
I have a question, for Jenna and anyone else –
over this past year I’ve developed kind of a binge eating problem, as a result of some unsatisfactory things in my life. I’ve always been slender, but because I’ve been “emotionally eating” pretty regularly and eating until I am way overly full, I’ve gained 10 lbs. 🙁 I’m not overweight by any means but want to get back to feeling slim, fit and healthy again and in control. Just this past weekend was horrible – I felt so miserable and ate sooo much, even though I promised myself I wouldn’t! Then today I did it again! Help, I need to break this vicious cycle, but I don’t know if I should fast tomorrow (seriously, I ate SO MUCH these past 3 days, 3,000-4,000 calories?!) but if that will just make me binge again. Most of all I know I need to deal with my emotional issues and my life, but it’s just really hard now because my body feels so crappy. Sorry to ramble but I’m just in a really bad head state and could use some encouragement that I can conquer this and drop this extra weight 🙁
Phoebe
April 22, 2008 at 7:00 amJenna — that is truly great news! You have my best wishes for your grandpa’s health.
And, hey Clara — I have EXACTLY the same problem. I was always pretty thin and then I just started eating or something. I’m “normal,” not overweight, but I just loathe not having what I feel is my real body. I definitely have felt exactly how you describe feeling and it is really awful. To be perfectly honest, I have not found any kind of solution yet — I have actually considered antianxiety medication but I haven’t tried that yet (does anyone else have advice about that?). The only advice I can give you is:
1.
Phoebe
April 22, 2008 at 7:03 amoops . . . got cut off.
1. Try to eat a “normal,” healthy amount of food tomorrow that’s not restrictive or fasting
2. Plan what you’re going to eat, and if you can predict that you will be in a situation in which you’ll be eating something “unplanned” (e.g., I live in a dorm, and we have snacks at movie night, so I always eat whatever is there no matter that it is) PLAN TO EAT IT even if you wish you weren’t going to eat it. I think that being conscious of what you know you’re going to eat is really important to feeling in control even if it doesn’t actually change your eating behavior overtly. It’s better to really DECIDE to eat something than to kind of let it happen and feel bad about yourself. Sorry if I am giving a bunch of presumptuous advice — I could essentially be talking to myself here. Good luck!
Phoebe
April 22, 2008 at 7:05 amP.S. Ashley H — I have IBS too (haha lots of personal information about me today) If you want to ask some questions about it my email address is in the mouseover of my name!
Catherine
April 22, 2008 at 7:51 amJenna,
I’m so happy to hear good news about your grandpa! I will continue to keep him and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
oatmeal
April 22, 2008 at 10:51 amThat’s great news about your grandpa! Hope he gets better soon!
Looks like you had a really huge/AWESOME dinner! That alfredo sauce is such a satisfying color~I’ve wanted to have that stuff for a while now, but never found a good recipe for it, but I think I’ll try this one!
Good luck at your exhibition! School’s almost over for me as well–exciting!
VTgirl
April 22, 2008 at 11:00 amo-m-g that pasta looks AMAZING! your pictures are always soooooo good i can’t get over it!!! checking this blog is the highlight of my day! yummmmyyy!
MLT
April 22, 2008 at 12:27 pmHey all!
Jenna, so glad to hear that your grandpa came thru.
I just wanted to let ya’ll know that I recently discovered something to help me eat healthier: first (backstory)- i’ve always been thin but have at times had difficulty stopping eating after dinner- i just eat and eat and eat, so dinner turns into like 4 hour marathon. Well, recently I decided to get more fat in my diet and I started adding olive oil to my dinner and sometimes my lunch as well. Guess what? My dinner keep me full until 11pm! (I eat at 6:30). Obviously, if there are emotional eaters out there, this isn’t a solution for that, but if you’re eating a lot at night for some other reason, this might help. Just wanted to share because this was driving me nuts until I figured it out.
Clara
April 22, 2008 at 3:52 pmThanks for your advice Phoebe, it wasn’t persumptious at all – I felt better just knowing there was someone out there who understood. I like what you said about “deciding” to eat something – I never thought of it that way!
good luck – hope you can conquer this as well!
Alice (in Veganland)
April 22, 2008 at 4:04 pmJenna, I’m glad to hear good news about your grandpa, and hope that he continues getting better 🙂
I love all of HH’s recipes, really. I tried one of the other pasta sauces (don’t remember the name, it had lemon in it), and it was SO good, and a bit easier to make than this one (it get even easier that this!)
Vegan_Noodle
April 22, 2008 at 7:26 pmSo glad to hear your grandpa got through the surgery. Hopefully now he has a speedy recovery! Wishing you and your family all the best….
happyherbivore
May 9, 2008 at 8:42 pmso happy to hear the wonderful news about your loved one! I have been thinking you of you and your family~