Had to have something sweet! I had a cup of my special hot chocolate from France (made with 6 ounces of skim milk) and a half serving of organic graham sticks. It hit the spot and now I’m all ready to cozy on in with a new book. For all you readers out there (I’m an obsessive reader–I average a book a week!!), I just finished the best book I’ve read in a very long time. It was called “Those Who Save Us” and it was a novel about a German woman’s experience during the Holocaust. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days!!! I was even reading it on the elliptical machine earlier today to finish the last chapter. It was THAT good! Oh, how I love a good book 🙂
Tomorrow is my LAST DAY EVER (well in culinary school that is) of waking up at 6:00 a.m to go to school at 7:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next three weeks my class starts at 10:00 a.m, then after that once I switch to the baking program my classes will start at 6:30 p.m. It’s so exciting!!! I got my assignment for the practical tomorrow and I’ve been writing tons of notes to take with me. I’m a bit anxious about it just because we aren’t allowed to talk at all once getting in the kitchen and I am completely on my own baking–no team. After school I’m headed back home to eat leftovers of my tuna/broccoli dish tonight and then I’m hitting the road for Tampa for the night 🙂
About 239 calories. After a long day of feeling perpetually hungry (on account of me being so exhausted, no doubt), I finally feel satisfied and full. Perhaps all I needed was some chocolate?
alex
January 25, 2008 at 12:55 amThat book sounds like something I would be interested in! I am going to check it out.
Good luck tomorrow! I am sure you will do great!
Susan
January 25, 2008 at 12:58 amNo wonder you are such a good writer- readers always are! This is totally not food related but do you buy books or go to the library. Honestly, I think part of the reason I don’t read enough is I prefer to buy, it must be psychological, but I do. Did you read alot growing up versus tv too?
Sorry thats so off topic! Its a great skill though being a reader.
Marcy
January 25, 2008 at 1:03 amJenna, when you order a club soda and lime don’t the people you are with hear you doing that anyway? Unfortunately, people are age are very image conscious and I always feel awkward ordering it in front of them if I want to watch my calorie intake for example.
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 1:18 amSusan,
Ah, I wish I could buy books every week! I actually do go to the Library here…we have a great one with all the bestsellers. I buy books at the bookstore about once a month but other than that I try to check them out. I much prefer owning them but Ryan doesn’t really know what to do with my entire book collection because they don’t fit in his apartment. I have all my books in storage right now because I have about 300 of them!! All hardback, beautiful books. I never really watched tv at all growing up…I just read, read, read. Now, I read about an hour a day at least..but growing up when I had more time it seemed, i probably read about 2 hours a day! In my opinion, reading a book is a much better way to spend your time than watching tv! 🙂
Marcy,
I used to feel that way but really, you just have to get over it. I mean, who really cares if you order a non-alcoholic drink or not? I realize its difficult, especially in college to be “that girl” that orders a club soda…I WAS that girl! But…there comes a point when, in lack of better terms, you just have to say screw it–i’m going to do what I want! Really, people don’t care as much as you might have it made up in your mind that they do. Once they accept the fact that you would rather not have a nother drink they just order one themselves and get on with it!
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 1:27 amhere’s more info on that book I just finished…..it was AMAZING….a real page turner!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0156031663/ref=s9_asin_image_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0BYB66J596PN2AWEQSYZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846
Susan
January 25, 2008 at 1:38 amI totally agree, I use to read more at home, but college kinda made me stop. I spent so much time reading text books and primary documents that the last thing I wanted to do during my free time was read.
Have a good night and I’m sure you will ace that exam!
Katie
January 25, 2008 at 1:53 amHi Jenna,
I just wanted to let you know how much I marvel at you! Your level of maturity and grace is unbelievable to me. Twenty three years old?!?! You must be an old soul! You are going to be a HUGE success!
Good luck on your exam, and have fun, fun, fun in Tampa.
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 1:57 amThank you, Katie!! I must be an old soul, although I hope not too much! I was always the sort of “mom” for my friends growing up…I like to go to bed early as well! haha! Secretly I would rather read a good book in my pajamas all night long than go to a party 😉
ana
January 25, 2008 at 1:57 amlol! i love to read too! sounds like a great book, unfortunately it will have to go at the end of a very long reading list! i find i always finish books much slower during school than summer and breaks! that’s when i catch up -_^ i just wanted to say that you have really changed my approach to desserts! even though i knew i could incorporate dessert at the end of the day, but i had this silly fear of (i tend to keep eating and eating) not being able to stop once i have that first bite. but after reading several of your mini dessert posts, i decided to take the plunge and am so glad i did!! ^_^ i used to save up for one big dessert binge at the end of the week (i.e. eating a whole half gallon-yes it’s true! of ice cream or half a pie, etc) very very unhealthy! but it was the only way i thought i could control my sweet tooth. for the past 5 days, however, i have had mini desserts (one serving ice cream w/100 calorie cookie packs or 100 kettle popcorn w/small amount of chocolate) and to my surprise (and great delight!^_^) i have felt COMPLETELY satisfied after and never had the urge to go back for more! even better, they still fit into my average eating so i feel completely comfortable relishing them! so thanks again jenna! way to go!^_^
Andrea
January 25, 2008 at 1:58 amthat snack you made earlier with the graham sticks & cottage cheese & jelly looks so amazing! i definitely have to try it! what type of jelly do you like best? do you use an all natural type or a low sugar type?
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 2:04 amAna,
Great!!! I’m so glad you found some sweet inspiration…no pun intended 🙂
Andrea,
I don’t use low sugar jam because usually that has a ton of artificial sweeteners in it. I use imported raspberry jam from France by a brand called “bonne maman”. Surprisingly I can find it at my regular grocery store. Its 5.99 for a jar, which is pricey but I’m seriously addicted to the stuff and nothing else tastes the same to me. The only ingredients are raspberries and cane sugar, I believe. I could eat it by the spoonful. Sometimes I do. Don’t tell!
Lynn
January 25, 2008 at 2:11 amI made pizza tonight (so good!) and it took me forever and a day to clean all the mushrooms. Do you clean each mushroom individually with a paper towel?
Jenna and if anyone has advice. I have found that every night I have so many dishes to clean. Do you run a load every night!? Or just handwash?
Amy
January 25, 2008 at 2:13 amI’ve only ever tried green pears-what are the red ones called that you eat. Do you prefer them? I think I may go buy some to try.
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 2:23 amLynn,
I’m bad….I just give a quick general mushroom wipe down. I dont do each mushroom…I just wipe them all over with a paper towel. I try to only buy organic though so I know no pesticides or anything gross was used on them. I just dont have enough time to wash each one!
When you cook, you DO have a lot of dishes to clean. To cut down on our electrical bill my roommate and I try to only run the dishwasher every other day…which is a challenge for me! I hand wash the larger pots and pans and stuff everything else into the dishwasher@
Amy,
I’m not sure on the exact name of the red pears but I have found them to be more juicy and ripe than the green ones right now. Remember, keep them out of the fridge and eat within 2 days of buying to get the max flavor and ripeness!!
mel
January 25, 2008 at 2:44 amomg Jenna! I am obsessed with reading, always have and always will be! I love mysteries though bc I want to do something with law! It is really hard to read during school though but at night I usually fall asleep with a good book on my chest! haha@ I’ve always been the “mom” too, but I still always have a great time. My friends make fun of me for reading so much, but I think secretly they are jealous! haha! Take care!! good luck tomorrow
Mel
Jill
January 25, 2008 at 3:19 amGood luck with your last day of school! I’m half way through the harry potter series! Where do you find the list of books you plan to read? I never no where to get new books.
Will you go to bed later starting with your new schedule or are you always a morning person?
Harlow
January 25, 2008 at 3:20 amJenna, I was wondering, if you found some time in your hectic schedule, would you be able to post some staple snacks and foods that you always have in your house? Thank you!!
Andrea
January 25, 2008 at 4:06 amhaha i sometimes catch myself eating peanut butter by the spoonful too! good luck on your practical tomorrow – just go in with confidence and you will SHINE!
i have a situation where i chew WAY too much sugar-free gum (orbit) – at least one pack a day…mostly because of stress with college (and it helps me from running to get packaged foods or sweets like my roommates.) i know i should break this habit for 2008 but it’s SOOO addicting. i also drink a lot of sugar-free vanilla skim lattes at the starbucks on campus. my stomach sometimes expands and deflates a lot after eating as a result. i also usually stick a piece of gum in my mouth after every meal.. i don’t know what to do! ah! i know i need to stop but it’s so hard… do you have any suggestions?
Rachel
January 25, 2008 at 5:45 amJenna, what are your all-time favorite books? I’m pretty much obsessed with books as well and am always looking for new, good books to read!!
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 11:31 amJill,
I don’t go by a list for what to read. I just walk around barnes and noble! Perhaps a list would be better sometimes because then I wouldnt buy so many!
I will have to go to bed later next month because I will have class till 11:30 p.m..meaning I wont get home til around midnight.Unfortunately I’ll still wake up early to get everything in…around 7. I’m a huge morning person!
Harlow,
Check out the snacks I posted yesterday afternoon under “A Girl Needs To Have Her Snacks”
Andrea,
When you say “alot of lattes” what do you mean? I wouldnt have more than one a day…they do have artificial sweeteners in them and just because they are sugarfree, they still contain empty calories. Try tea instead! I would just get rid of ALL the gum in your house. Throw it all away. Seriously! That might solve the problem…
Rachel,
Prince of Tides, Lonesome Dove, Beach Music, The Poisonwood Bible, Wurthering Heights, Gone with the Wind….the list is way too long to name!!!!
Trina
January 25, 2008 at 5:19 pmWere you eating/drinking your little dessert on the ground?! lol, looks like carpet!
Hope your last day is great!
linds
January 25, 2008 at 6:18 pmGone with the Wind is one of my all time favourite books- it was given to me as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago, and I read the whole thing in like 3 days…And I cried. The end left me so devastated haha.
What’s up next on your must-read list??
Katie
January 25, 2008 at 9:08 pmthose back to nature cinnamon graham sticks look good…i am totally looking for those at the store this week!
ms.
January 25, 2008 at 9:54 pmhey jenna. i’m another central florida runner! i stumbled on your blog a week or so ago and i’ve already gleaned tons of healthy food information from you ~ thanks. i love how your emphasis is on finding a balance with healthy food and portions while also recognizing some desserts are also part of living.
i’m going to have to check out the book you recommended. some of my favorites are (although you may have already read them if you go through a book a week): A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (great classic), Midwives, Time Traveler’s Wife, and My Sister’s Keeper.
again, thanks for the time and effort you put into this. my health will definitely benefit from it…
jenna
January 25, 2008 at 11:16 pmTrina,
I was doing a little food photo shoot. Yes, I was sitting on the ground next to my bed! 🙂
Linds,
Currently reading “Someone Knows My Name” by Lawrence Hill…its about an African woman in the 1800’s that was kidnapped from her home as a child and sold into slavery. Another I cant put down…already read 150 pages and just started it last night!! 🙂
ms-
I’ve read every single one of those!!!!! Love them ALL!!!