Well I guess you all really want some of this Amazing Meal!!!! Keep those entries coming—to be fair, since you all have such great reasons why you deserve it, I’m going to pick a totally random winner this evening using Random Number Integer on the web. I’ve always found that to be the fairest way to go about these things!
Speaking of Amazing Grass, my dad stopped by this morning and I made him his first ever Green Monster!!!
He was heading back from the gym and said this was the perfect thing! After his first sip he said, “
well looks can sure be deceiving!!” I made his with the original
Amazing Meal, a frozen banana, peanut butter, wheatgrass, almond milk and spinach.
The classic just can’t be beat.
Other than that, its been a pretty high stress morning over here. I actually think my stress levels have gone UP since I’ve quit my job and started blogging and writing full time! How can that be?! Aint real life fun? Don’t get me wrong, I am a million bajillion times happier now that I am following my passion and doing this full time but working from home can sometimes be a struggle with things don’t go according to plan. You have to be able to juggle numerous different projects at the same time–I’ve definitely learned to multi-task! 😉
I waited for two hours for the A/C guys to get here and ended up missing my lunch date with the food editor of Creative Loafing. I wasn’t thrilled about that AT ALL, but after some deep yoga breathes and Level 2 of The 30 Day Shred, I felt much better. Today I used pasta sauce jars to shred with! They are each about 2 lbs so it was perfect!
Lunch was impromptu since I thought I was going out. Yet another large salad!! I’ve been such a manatee lately, eating all these greens! 😉
- greens
- 1/2 cucumber
- cherry tomatoes
- serving of Mary’s Gone Crackers
- 1/2 cup pinto beans
- 2 scoops hummus
- a serving of raw goat cheese, grated (Gina turned me on to this—it “makes” the salad!)
After I took the picture I of course slathered the salad with Texas Pete. Obviously.
And then had a frozen SCM cookie for dessert! 🙂 I NEEDED this today!
I am buried in work this afternoon and then have a
Team in Training nutrition class I have to be at from 5:30-7:30.
While I’m gone keep on entering to win the HUGE 2 lb container of Amazing Meal!!! And, keep on sending those yummy weeknight dinner recipes my way to HelpJennaRun@gmail.com. I’m sooo impressed with this e-cookbook so far. Its going to be even bigger and better than the last one!
brandi
June 17, 2009 at 1:19 pmi hope the rest of the day is less stressful! great idea using the pasta sauce as weights – i’ve done that before with water bottles and canned food, too!
Maria
June 17, 2009 at 1:19 pmSorry to hear that you are more stressed out these days, but good to know that you’re happier :). Maybe I’ll start adding some of that goat cheese to my salads too!
My mom loves the green smoothies too, glad that your dad enjoyed it!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
June 17, 2009 at 1:20 pmlove that salad! Hummus and good cheese make such a nice combo!
It can be frustrating when little things come up that throw our days out of whack! But it looks like you have mastered the art of ‘go with the flow’ 😉
Natalie
June 17, 2009 at 1:24 pmThe salad looks so good! Have fun with Team in Training! They really do a great job of coaching 🙂
mh
June 17, 2009 at 1:34 pmyour dad is too cute!! I have a question about lifting free weights for you arms. I usually use 5 lbs weights to lift weights and although my arms are strong, I want them more toned. I also have 8 lbs but I’m afraid if I use them my arms will get bigger. what do you think? 5 lbs and do way more reps or 8 lbs and fewer? Thank YOu!!
Mel H
Danielle
June 17, 2009 at 1:35 pmLove that salad!!!
And that’s great that your dad enjoyed the GM!
Tyler
June 17, 2009 at 1:36 pmI made a yummy healthy salad (which says a lot for me b/c the only way I really like salad is with ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits!). Anyway, my creation was lettuce and spinach, tomatoes, red bell pepper, topped with an Amy’s tamale pie! Then I added a little salsa and ff sour cream. Yummy “taco salad” mmmm.
Rebeca
June 17, 2009 at 1:45 pmI hope the latter half of your day is less stressful!
Your dad is so handsome!
Recipes for Creativity
June 17, 2009 at 1:46 pmI hope you can meet the editor another time and your afternoon is more relaxing!
Tay
June 17, 2009 at 1:52 pmhaha what a great idea to use the pasta jars!! I’m inspired since I don’t have weights that small at school! Thanks, Jenna!!
Erica
June 17, 2009 at 1:54 pmA manatee?? LOL Girl, you crack me up! Love the pic of dad having his first GM!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
June 17, 2009 at 1:57 pmyum, everything is better with hot sauce. i’m interested in what your TNT nutrition class will cover. let us know!
Gina G
June 17, 2009 at 1:58 pmI thought it was funny that you mentioned that you had your dad try his first GM because today i made my mom do the same! i basically had to force her because of the look of it and because she doesn’t (thats right doesnt!) like peanut butter, crazy right? but she actually gave it a thumbs up! =D
P.S. Im sorry your day hasnt been so bright, but i hope the rest of your day looks up! =D
Kelly
June 17, 2009 at 2:17 pmYour dad is so handsome 🙂
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
June 17, 2009 at 2:21 pmHope your day gets a little less stressful soon!!!! That is just no fun!
Delicious salad…yummmmmm!
Paola
June 17, 2009 at 2:23 pmHi Jenna,
I have a question. Is there a difference between “Amazing Meal” and “Green Super Food”? I can’t figure it out.
Thank you!
Stacey
June 17, 2009 at 2:26 pmMy boss reads my blog and this morning he said (and I quote) “All your recipes look great, except that Green Monster…that just looks gross” lol…I told him that you cant even taste the spinach!! Hopefully he will change his mind after trying one, like your dad did 🙂
kailey
June 17, 2009 at 2:31 pmsorry to hear that your so stressed being home :\
hope everything works out!! that does look like a great green monster!
sara.jane
June 17, 2009 at 2:47 pmHope your stress level has gone down. I still need to try the monster!! I’m sure I’ll need to find something to keep my stress to a minimum here in the coming months because now I have a WEDDING to plan!! 🙂 Oh, and maybe I missed it somewhere or I wasn’t a reader when it happened, but when did you quit your job and where can we find your writing? Or do you mean just your writing here? For some reason I thought you were still working somewhere, but then I guess you haven’t mentioned it, so….. HAHA goodness me.
Lindsey (Gracefulstride)
June 17, 2009 at 2:47 pmI have totally used spaghetti sauce jars as my weights for the shred too! Glad to know I am not the only one that thinks outside of the box when it comes ot weights! 😉
Run Sarah
June 17, 2009 at 3:02 pmGood idea with the weights – I use large water bottles and they work great for the Shred. I find working at home can be stressful because others often dont think I am ‘working’ and will call to chat, etc!
KimberlyS
June 17, 2009 at 3:12 pmHi Jenna! I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while now and you are incredibly inspiring! I’ve been making GM’s for the past few months as I’ve had some major gut troubles and am trying to heal up the healthy way. My favorite addition to my GM is Amazing Meal (which I found out about from your site! Thank you!)! I’ve not tried the meal replacement, just the greens- but I’m sure they are equally tasty. Thanks for your candor on your site, it’s such a joy to read 🙂 Cheers! Kimberly
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)
June 17, 2009 at 3:22 pmI too have found keeping up with blogging full time a little daunting…thank goodness for parents, GMs and big ole salads!
Nicole
June 17, 2009 at 3:22 pmI’m sorry things haven’t been going your way today! Hopefully they start to look up!
I did level 2 of the shred today as well. It was tough! I think that level 2 is harder than 3!
Jenny
June 17, 2009 at 3:24 pmi couldn’t get my dad to try a green monster if i paid him.. glad your pops is more open-minded ;)!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
June 17, 2009 at 3:26 pmThat’s great your dad liked the green monster!
I totally hear you on being so busy! sometimes I find myself feeling more overwhelmed on weekends at home with all of my tasks rather than when I am at work. It’s funny how that is!
Have an amazing afternoon!
Jess
June 17, 2009 at 3:26 pmI also freeze my cookies, but I warm them up before eating them. Actually, I often roll the dough into little balls and freeze those, then bake them one or two at a time. Helps with portion control. 😉
Emily L.
June 17, 2009 at 3:28 pmHey Jenna,
Read your article about mid-day slump.
I love the idea of having a protein smoothie mid-day, but logistically how can I make it work? I don’t have a blender at work, and if I make it in the morning and freeze it, it’s too frozen. If I fridge it, it’s too soft. Any tips/secret tricks?
Thanks,
E
Amanda
June 17, 2009 at 3:36 pmSo awesome that your dad is lovin the GMs, too! Look at you converting the whole fam into health nuts!! I hope that your day calms down a little bit. Whenever I get stressed, I try to see the “big picture” and put everything into perspective. I also make sure to schedule in some time for relaxation. Sounds completely counter-intuitive, but I’m the kind of person who will feel guilty relaxing unless I’ve budgeted for it!
Christina MINDFUL LIVING
June 17, 2009 at 3:47 pmyou are lucky that you dad truly tired and enjoyed a green monster…my mom took what doesnt even count as a taste of my green monster and cringed- i know she is lieing because the taste is heavenly goodness haha im going to make her try more next time!
Kris C
June 17, 2009 at 3:52 pmHi Jenna,
I have to say, while those green monsters don’t exactly look appetizing to me, I really kind of want to try one and see the results that everyone says that they get from them. I am very slow in the morning and could use the boost. Here’s the thing tho, I hate PB and banannas and I notice that you put them in all of yours. Any other ideas or things that you put in them that I could try?
Thanks,
Kris
mel
June 17, 2009 at 4:02 pmHey Jenna
Your post on tea without sweetener helped motivate me to finally try to cut back on splenda!! I’ve been addicted for years.. and use way way too much. I even posted about it on my blog (http://sherunsbrooklyn.wordpress.com/) which is new, but i’m excited!!
love your blog and have been reading for a long time 🙂
Jill
June 17, 2009 at 4:13 pmI so enjoy your posts! I’m a College of Charleston alum (class of ’94) and did the Nike Women’s Half with TNT last year (you’ll love it).
If I don’t win, can I find Amazing Meal on the shelves of my health food store?
Emily (Healthy Fit Mama)
June 17, 2009 at 4:20 pmIf your dad likes the green monster, then I definitely get on the bandwagon here and try one! 🙂
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 17, 2009 at 4:41 pmWow, I am so impressed with the ingredients in Amazing Meal! Can’t wait to try some in my first green monster, which I admit, I have yet to try!
Natalie M.
June 17, 2009 at 4:50 pmWell I can’t say I deserve the amazing meal but if I won it my Living Harvest Protein Powder would have to take a back seat as a guest star in my Green Monsters… hehe not such a bad thing 😀
Adi (oatonomy.com)
June 17, 2009 at 4:52 pmI laughed out loud when you called yourself a manatee. Nice use!
What writing projects are you working on? If you’re keeping it mum, that’s okay, just being curious. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!
MarathonVal
June 17, 2009 at 4:54 pmI love that you got your dad to drink one. Surprisingly, this weekend I even got my IN-LAWS to drink – and even crazier, ENJOY – Green Monsters!! They are Greeks, meaning they are super traditional and typically scoff at my health food so it was quite a milestone I thought 🙂
Jordan
June 17, 2009 at 5:16 pmcute picture of your dad! if you look at that picture against the one on your home page you guys look a lot alike!
K
June 17, 2009 at 5:58 pmMaybe I’m just slow (it’s possible!!) but I just noticed your new side bar links with the pictures – looks great!!
Amanda
June 17, 2009 at 5:59 pmHow cute is your dad! You’ve totally sold me on “Amazing Meal” Luckily there is a healthfood store on island that carries it ( well at least according to the zip code finder on their website ). Ive been following you blog for the last 2 months. It’s really great. I’m now addicted to the “almost raw” granola bars and I’ve loved Mary’s Gone Cracker’s for years! Anyways, I’m jealous you live in Florida, I’ve always wanted to spend more time out there. I guess I have to settle for Maui in the mean time. Keep up the great work. Much Aloha, Amanda
Jocelyn
June 17, 2009 at 6:05 pmman that sucks..down with stressful days..and thank goodness for yoga!! mmm amazing grass!!!!!!!!!!!
Kath
June 17, 2009 at 6:14 pm1) You look just like your dad
2) Totally know what you mean about being self-employed raising stress levels but for all good reasons 🙂
polly
June 17, 2009 at 6:30 pmdeep breaths and MASSIVE hugs always help. Prayer and love all around, friend. I see John in your Daddy, don’t you think? You can always see him each day, that way. 🙂
XOXO Pols
oh! I just realized I forgot! We’ll be happy to try that green stuff in this house!! Love green drinks!!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
June 17, 2009 at 6:38 pmSorry to hear that things are a little stressful right now. Just try to keep reminding yourself how important it is that you’re doing what you love and definitely doing an amazing job at it! 🙂
Enjoy the Team in Training tonight. I can’t wait to hear how it went!
ald
June 17, 2009 at 7:13 pmHi there,
I’ve been DYING to try the Amazing Meal – I can’t wait to be more energized – I’m so jealous of your and Ryan’s energetic mornings! I need Amazing Grass in my mornings!
Jess
June 17, 2009 at 7:15 pmI never get tired of your salads!
Sorry you’re feeling stressed out! Hope things calm down and you can relax. We’re all here for you 🙂
Enjoy the team in training tonight!
<3 jess
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
June 17, 2009 at 7:18 pmGlad to see your dad likes the GM’s haha!
Yolande McKenzie
June 17, 2009 at 7:38 pmI’m trying to lose weight and I believe that these drinks are just what I need. I’ve been struggling with my health and weight and every incentive to put myself first and treat my body the right way would be helpful. Thank you and I love your blog!
Becky@I Heart Running & Food
June 17, 2009 at 9:15 pmLove that your dad is enjoying the Green! Not so sure my dad would! Your salads look delish…I am going to try using hummus as a topper instead of dressing soon. 🙂
Mrs. Myers
June 18, 2009 at 12:37 amI absolutely love that you used your sauce jars as weights. That’s adorable. The reason I stopped on your blog is we almost have the same blog names! I’m Eat Move Write (www.eatmovewrite.blogspot.com). Close. Your meals look delicious. Yum!