Well, I’m all safe and sound in Orlando and my migraine is finally easing up! For breakfast this morning I heated up two packets of Go Lean oatmeal with water and added a HUGE peach that I cut up into big chunks and some toasted almond slices. It was very yummy and filling! I also stopped on the way home to get a cup of coffee because caffeine really helps migraines actually (all excedrin migraine is is a very strong caffeine pill).
When I got back to the apartment I didn’t really feel like a typical lunch….I wanted some cold and tasty so I made a protein smoothie instead and it was absolutely the perfect thing. I mixed together in the blender 1 frozen banana, 1 cup soymilk, 1 huge spoonful almond butter and 1 scoop chocolate protein powder. Gave it a quick whirl and, let me tell you, this was the most delicious smoothie I have ever tasted in my entire life. This chocolate protein powder is aaaamazing. It tastes JUST like a thick chocolate ice cream shake. I’m serious. I actually felt like I was drinking a dessert because it was so sweet, so rich and thick. And now, my migraine is gone and I feel a lot better after all that protein! You guys gotta try this one….it blows every other protein powder I’ve ever tried away. I would drink these all day long and never grow sick of them!
I’m going to put away my stuff, clean up around here then go to the gym a little later. I’m around the apartment for the rest of the afternoon waiting for those dang brighthouse guys to come over and hopefully fix the internet for good!!
Julz
July 28, 2008 at 4:36 pmSo glad your headache is gone! I get ocular migraines once a year for about 3-4 days STRAIGHT and they are absolute POO. No other words to describe it (that are appropriate for blog commenting, hehe 🙂 )
Best of luck in your final class tonight! And I loved your ab video! Too cute, you are, Miss Jenna! And girl, you’ve got an awesome little bod there! Great inspiration for all of us to eat healthy and exercise! I think that one of the golden linings found within your blog is that everything that you do, you do in MODERATION. I adore so many of the blogs out there, but there’s always something different about your blog and something that’s always put me at such ease, after reading it. You are always seeing your life as an evolving and changing progression, you know? It’s the best way to live life, I think, and you show that allowing yourself to just live and be at ease around everything (whether its food, exercise, lifestyle, diet approach, money, school, work, relationships, etc) is truly the key to being happy with yourself. You probably won’t read this, as it’s just another blabbing comment from Julz (hahaha) and I know you get TONS of them from everyone else too, but you really “do LIFE” as it should be done. NO SET RULES, NO SET REGULATIONS. Just like Walt Whitman wrote in “Leaves of Grass” (Song of Myself)… 1.15: Me wherever my life is lived, O to be self-balanced for contingencies, / To confront night, storms, hunger, ridicule, accidents, rebuffs, / as the trees and animals do.
You follow it so well and allow your life to “just be”… Cheers to that!
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 4:39 pmJulz,
I read EVERY comment of yours, don’t you worry. Your words really brightened my day! Thank you so much! It always is such an inspiration to me when I receive such sweet and kinds comments. It keeps me going sometimes! 🙂
Monet M.
July 28, 2008 at 4:55 pmJenna! Loved the video you posted last time! Please post more work out videos. They are great!
I also want to build up my upper body and look more like you. You seem to be a hardgainer/ectomorph, right?
What is your build? I’m 5’4″ and about 105 pounds and have trouble gaining muscle. Does it also take you a long time? How many calories/protein should I focus on eating? I’m eating around 1700-2000 calories, but I think I may need to eat more in order to build muscle?
Your video was such an inspiration for me! You look AWESOME and I seriously just want to “bulk” up a bit in order to look better and stronger and especially since it is summer and I have some free time. Do you have any other exercises that can be done at home? I try do crunches and push ups daily and to that, I will try the exercises in your demonstration…
Thanks! Great Job!
-Monet M.
mel
July 28, 2008 at 5:03 pmperfectly said Julz! Jenna- your blog always makes me feel good! Youve made it “OK” for me to not count calories, eat when i’m hungry (which is always) and eat dessert all the time in moderation! you are amazing
Nicole
July 28, 2008 at 5:08 pmI hope your class goes well tonight! I’ve got to try some of your oatmeal variations, they always look sooo delicious!
I also loved your ab video!
Love the blog!
sue
July 28, 2008 at 5:14 pmthat protein shake sounds yummy. i really wanna try that protein powder you mentioned! 🙂
Jo
July 28, 2008 at 5:31 pmHi
I am a migraine suffered too and know the pain! I hardly get them anymore but used to get them badly when I was younger. A couple of things I find that help (other than my prescribed medication) is that I lay down in a dark room and i have these gel patches that I keep in the fridge (called “Kool ‘n’ soothe” – I’m sure if you can’t get them in the US, they’ll have some equivalent) which I slap on my forehead and have this stuff called Badger balm for headaches which I rub into my pressure points. Doesn’t cure it but eases the pain a bit.
Hope that helps.
Jo
tfh
July 28, 2008 at 5:32 pmFrozen bananas make the best, most ice cream like, smoothies…even without protein powder I eat them as dessert! But you make me think they could be even better– I’ll add that powder to my shopping list!
Alli W.
July 28, 2008 at 5:54 pmJenna–
Could you explain the protein powder a little bit? For instance, if you just mixed it with water, would it thicken up? Or do you need to have a banana or something for it not to be the consistency of water? I am not really familiar w/ protein powders….do they have thickening agents? Thanks ! And thanks for your diligence in posting and your new videos…that is really above and beyond!
~C~
July 28, 2008 at 6:20 pmI just wanted to say that I thought what Julz said is awesome. Jenna, you do rock and are so inspiring. I told dear husband about your video and we are going to give those moves a try!
Heather
July 28, 2008 at 6:36 pmHi Jenna, I agree with the other comments. I lie reading your blog because your lifestyle seems effortless and natural for you. Your passion for good food really comes across as authentic!
– Heather
Trina
July 28, 2008 at 6:39 pmJenna, I have to agree with the other readers in saying that I enjoy reading your blog daily. I don’t post comments very often (just enjoy reading everyone else’s) but I check in on your blog daily, and I really enjoy it 🙂
I also have a question for you. Please direct me to the answer if it’s already been asked….
I know there has been discussion that Americans (for the most part) consume too much protein. There really isn’t much of a need for us to consume protein enriched products because we already consume too much of it. So, that being said, what is the benefit of drinking protein shakes?
Since you have been drinkign these shakes lately, have you been cutting down on your other sources? I know you mentioned that you were wanting to gain some muscle, but if you are already consuming enough protein, what does the extra protein do?
I am just curious as I am still learning all the ways our mysterious bodies work!! I also would like to tone a little, but have a hard time doing it. I get nervous with the whole protein shake thing, so I thought I would hear your reasoning.
Thanks!!!
dolores
July 28, 2008 at 7:02 pmHi Jenna (and whoever else wants to chime in)…
random question…i tried making the carrot cupcake muffins (which i read about from your site, but i think were created by Happy Herbivore) and they were sooo wet!! like i baked them for close to half an hour and were still so doughy!! any suggestions?!? i’m a HUGE carrot cake fan and was so excited about these!
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 7:09 pmTrina,
I’m not a personal trainer or an RD or anything like that so my response to your question is coming purely from what other personal trainers and doctors have told me. When you lift weights, you tear your muscles down. You need protein to build them back up again. When you are attempting to build muscle by lifting more and more and heavier weights you are tearing your muscles down more than usual and, therefore, you need extra protein to rebuild (and GROW) the muscles you have just worked. Therefore, when you are trying to build lean muscle mass and bodybuilding, you need to consume more protein than someone that is sedentary or just does simple cardio.
Now remember, I’m just repeating what has been told me to me and what I have studied in my nutrition class. There are SO many controversies about basically everything in health and nutrition right now so of course there is debate over this. But, its whatever works for you. I know this works because I’ve done it before. I trained extensively with a personal trainer a couple times a week, drank shakes, ate lean protein and got quite buff and ripped (this was about 4 years ago). it’s a very very clean approach to training and I think it works but there’s always going to be someone that says differently.
I hope that answers your question!
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 7:10 pmDolores,
You need to bake those for about 45 minutes to an hour for them to set up. I had the exact same problem!
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 7:10 pmAlli W,
Yep, you can just mix it with water and it will thicken up but it is tastier if you use a blender to make a shake. The kind I bought at the store is known to be great with just water and dissolves easily but I think that other kinds may clump up a bit.
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 7:14 pmMonet,
I’m 5’6 and about 122 lbs. I’m not a calorie expert so I can’t tell you exactly how many calories you should be eating. I think you should focus instead on just eating clean (lean protein, complex carbs, fruits and veggies) along with bodybuilding if you want to gain more muscle mass. Eat when you are hungry….when you are working out so much its better for your body to eat small meals about every 2-3 hours so I suggest doing that and fueling properly before and after your workouts. Eating an hour before and refueling 30 minutes to an hour afterwards to give some fuel back to your muscles. I’m focusing on trying to “bulk up” as well so I would just try to follow my exercises as best you can and eat really clean. Go read Oxygen magazine, which I have found to be the best fitness magazine out there and it has some great moves you can do at the gym or at home.
Michael
July 28, 2008 at 7:16 pmHi Jenna,
So I made your chocolate chip waffles (only using regular pastry flour) for brunch for friends– it was really easy. Also learned quickly that a mimosa should not be made really good champagne, it’s a complete waste. 311 was one of my favorite bands when I was a kid– that sounds like an odd pairing, with Snoop Dogg but then again isn’t he doing cell phone commercials? Just out of curiosity what was he saying to the crowd that was funny? That’s cool his family was with him…
Michael
July 28, 2008 at 7:17 pmBy the way good luck on your capstone!
Becca A
July 28, 2008 at 7:24 pmBest of luck with the new class! You’ll do great!
Carla
July 28, 2008 at 8:29 pmjust wondering how much that big tub of protein cost you. thanks!
Lindsey Lu
July 28, 2008 at 8:29 pmI also really benefit from how honest and positive you are! Seeing how a real girl eats in order to be healthy is so helpful to me. Keep up the amazing example Jenna!
Trina
July 28, 2008 at 8:30 pmThanks Jenna, that does make sense about the protein. Good luck in your efforts to build muscle, too! 🙂
jenna
July 28, 2008 at 8:36 pmCarla,
That was $23.00. It was the most expensive one there but the woman said it was worth it and it really was….it tasted just like a chocolate milk shake but has no added sugar and nothing artificial in it. I highly recommend it.
hk
July 28, 2008 at 8:55 pmwohoo, so glad this protein powder was a success- I’m off to buy the chocolate powder and give it a whirl soon! good luck tonight 🙂
Heather
July 29, 2008 at 4:15 amSometimes a big cup of coffee is the only thing that does it for me when I get a migraine! Also, I bought a pack of that protein powder in chocolate and now I can’t wait to try it!