I was eager to have a flax-filled breakfast again this morning so I used a packet (2 tbsp-50 cal) of ground flax in my blueberry peanut butter steel cut oats. I heated the oats up with a bit of soymilk, added a handful of blueberries and then when it was hot, I stirred in some pb and flax. MMmmmm…it was really good—I think flax will now be a regular addition to my meals! I ate breakfast a little earlier than yesterday because I woke up earlier, so I’m sure I’ll pack a snack with me to school…but we will see how long i stay full!
Not as “pretty looking” but it sure did taste good! 🙂
Megan
February 7, 2008 at 12:36 pmWhere can you get the flax packets? I couldn’t find them the other day at the store. Thanks!
Jen
February 7, 2008 at 12:36 pmThis is not related to this post, but I wanted to try out your chili recipe, but I couldn’t find chipotle chili in adobe sauce anywhere! Can you tell me where you found it and what it looks like? Thanks.
VeggieGirl
February 7, 2008 at 12:39 pmFlax, blueberries, peanut-butter, oatmeal… sounds like a delectable breakfast to start your Thursday morning off right!! yum!! oh and hey, oatmeal may not be the most photogenic dish, but its taste more than makes up for the appearance ;0)
One more day until the weekend!!! :0D
By the way, I saw your comment on my blog – I haven’t read “Skinny Bitch,” but I’ve heard that it’s quite amusing to read.
Sara
February 7, 2008 at 12:42 pmSarah C,
Thanks for the list of healthy places you like to eat at. I live near UCF too so I’ve been to a couple of the places you mentioned. I’m excited to try
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice!
Becky
February 7, 2008 at 12:49 pmJenna-You forgot to mention only one more day until Friday!!!! With you and Kath both on the flax bandwagon…I just might have to try some. Have a great Thursday
Anna
February 7, 2008 at 1:17 pmHey Jenna- Sorry to bug you more about Charleston, but I just read your FAQs, and saw that you majored and minored in English and Creative Writing…me too! Did you do fiction or poetry? Who did you study with?
Amy
February 7, 2008 at 1:27 pmFor people who prefer plain yogurt, just curious as to why plain with honey etc is better than a natural brand like stonyfield. I eat stonyfield, but with all the talk about plain am thinking of switching, but I am not sure if there is a benefit. Thanks!
jenn
February 7, 2008 at 1:33 pmJenna,
For the olive oil cake, is it white AP flour or cake flour or something else, or does it not matter? Can you sub whole wheat?
Megan
February 7, 2008 at 1:34 pmI also eat flavored Stonyfield farm yogurt. Is it bad to eat, it has naturally milled sugar, and i was just wondering how much sugar is too much. It has 21 grams, but minus the milk and fruit sugars, it probably has about 10. Thanks!
jenn
February 7, 2008 at 1:35 pmand would it be ok to cut back on the amt of sugar? or (I know you’ve given it up, but…) use half sugar and half splenda?
jenn
February 7, 2008 at 1:50 pmAmy & Megan,
I don’t generally take note of how many g of sugar/serving on the nutrition facts, or check for sugar or HFCS on the ingredients list… but I like plain yogurt because I think it’s more versatile. You can flavor it up any way you want– by adding things like honey, sliced almonds, fruit preserves, apple butter, pumpkin, cinnamon, cranberry sauce, CHOCOLATE SYRUP!, whatever. I think plain with honey is a very Greek yogurt-thing. Sth I learned in a class this week is that honey is a has been shown to have positive effects on body weight, cholesterol, bone mineral density and blood sugar levels… AND it’s been lauded by the scientific community for its ability in increase antioxidants in the body… AND it’s significantly sweeter than table sugar so you need less of it. In short, honey is a superfood! (well except for vegans and babies) http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=96
I also like that plain yogurt has fewer kcal for the same amount of protein (my favorite is Cascadian Farms NF plain– 110kcal/13g protein). Obviously, you are going to add some of that back if you top it with something, but I like choosing the source of my (maybe discretionary?) calories. 🙂
Megan
February 7, 2008 at 2:01 pmHow much added sugar is a ok amount to have in a day? (not from milk or fruit)
Maggie
February 7, 2008 at 2:07 pmJen,
The chipotle chili in adobe sauce is made by Goya. It’s a small can usually in the international foods section with all the other Goya products. I’d never heard of it until last year and now am surprised at how many recipes call for it. Happy cooking!
Courtney
February 7, 2008 at 2:19 pmMegan and anyone else who wants to know where to buy flax–Bob’s Red Mill is sold at Whole Foods Stores and a lot of regular grocery stores that sell organic foods. The Bob’s Red Mill Brand has Ground Flax Seed in bigger bags, but not individual servings. However, 2 tbsp is the serving size and that’s the same as having an individual flax pak! Those things are hard to find! So just look out for Bob’s Red Mill Ground Flax, make sure you get ground. Hope that helps!
Lauren T.
February 7, 2008 at 2:30 pmDoesn’t really matter but you’ve piqued my curiosity…..my ground flax says 2 Tbsp is 90 kcals……flax is flax, isn’t it??
kay
February 7, 2008 at 2:52 pmHi Jenna,
Your breakfast sounds delicious!!
You wrote the other day you spend a lot of money on food and books. Me too!! I buy my books at amazon.com and usually save some money. Most of the books are shipped for free and come to you really quick. I sometimes read and check them out at bookstores first but they are much more expensive there… Not budget friendly 🙁 Do you buy your books online at all?
Amy
February 7, 2008 at 3:39 pmJenna, I plan to make either yours or Heidi’s lentil soup (the ones you posted). Which did you prefer? In yours you roasted the vegetables, did that make it taste better. I also noticed you cut down the lentils drastically- is there a reason?
Both look great!
Caryee
February 7, 2008 at 3:53 pmHey Jenna and everyone!
What a delicious, healthful breakfast you got there. I will try to grab some flax seeds at the store the next time I go. Thanks for the inspiration!
I have a question that I would really like some insight on!! First off, let me introduce myself as a college student, 18 years old, 5′ 8″ and 128 pounds. (Last March 2007 I weighed 151 and lost weight through portion control and de-stressing:) ). Ideally, I’d like to slim down to 125 by summer. I know you are not much of a calorie counter, but I promise I will address that after I explain… Anyway, on to the problem…
This morning I woke up at 6am, ran 3 miles at 6mph and 2% incline, then did light yoga for an hour. I’d say I burned about 350 calories. Then I went to the dining hall and, I hate to say this– all hell broke loose 🙁 I had Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal with banana and pb, 1/2 grape fruit, vanilla soymilk…then I couldn’t resist a bit of warmed pumpkin bread, a buttermilk biscuit, and a chocolate chip cookie! Yikes! I totaled my breakfast cals to a whopping 800 cals–minus the exercise calories– I’m at 450 NET calories, which I suppose isn’t too bad.
HOWEVER– I decided to try to keep a positive attitude and focus on my body signals after. It is now 9:50am, about an hour and a half after I finished eating, and I’m not feeling uncomfortably full at all!!! In fact, my stomach feels satisfied, I am not bloated to the point I can’t drink water, etc. My question is this: If I TRULY listened to my body and DID NOT count calories, I could consume quite an unhealthy amount of sugar and fat!! THis is why I’m nervous about simply “listening to my body” and quit counting calories.
Does anyone else have this fear or problem with listening to their body?? Am i simply over-reacting?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much to this wonderful, health-concious community you have fostered, Jenna!!!
Amy
February 7, 2008 at 4:01 pmSorry, follow up to the soup question, but I was looking and amy’s makes a split pea and lentil soup. How do you choose which soups you buy versus which to make. The lazy side of me says if its already made by a health food brand, shouldn’t I not make it myself……I know that sounds weird.
VeggieGirl
February 7, 2008 at 4:28 pmYou can find the actual flax packs that Jenna uses (and that I use as well – I highly recommend them for convenience and for nutrition purposes!) online, here: http://carringtonfarms.com/products.cfm?product=-Flax-Paks
JennS
February 7, 2008 at 4:56 pmhey Jenna, in the Olive Oil cake did you use all purpose flower? Thanks!
Hallie
February 7, 2008 at 5:08 pmOk I know this isn’t a big deal, but I was curious. I’m “jumping on the flax bandwagon” too…it’s SO good for you! I bought some from trader joe’s and it was the Bob’s Red Mill brand. It said 2 tbls was 60 calories, but the “flax packs” are 50? Can anyone explain where the 10 calorie difference comes from? I know companies can round up or down the calorie counts so maybe that’s why?
Kelly L.
February 7, 2008 at 5:22 pmHappy Thursday! One more day till Friday, YAY! I posted this on Kath’s blog so I thought I’d do the same thing here but change it up a bit since many of us read both blogs!
1) What’s your favorite form of exercise?
2) What is your food motto?
3) What is the most random food combination you eat (it might be odd to others but maybe not to us)
I’ll go!
1) Running and Pilates! I do pilates 2x a week on the reformer and one mat class a week and run 2-3 times a week for 15-30 minutes. I’m not a major runner I just love the high I get from it. I mainly do it to warm up before weights.
2) Life is too short to weigh bananas (all foods for that matter). Listen to your body, it’s smart, it will tell you what it wants, needs, and when it has had enough.
3) Hmmm….I’ll put salsa on ANYTHING. Seriously, all pour a cup of it on potatoes, eggs, krisp rye crakcers, chicken, etc. I guess that’s not too odd. I don’t like milk so mix yogurt in my cereal instead so I get the dairy and calcium. It might not be wierd to you but to my family it is. 🙂
Trina
February 7, 2008 at 5:44 pmHmmm-that was a fun idea Kelly!! I figured I would join you, it will be fun to see everyone’s answers!
1) Probably running or tennis!! I usually run most nights, but I LOVE tennis and get a good workout from it…it is just harder b/c you have to get someone to go with you 🙂
2) I don’t think I have ever really had a food motto before, but I like your idea Kelly! Let’s see…if I had to come up with one: Try new things!! Some people are really stuck in their ways and aren’t willing to venture out…but I know my tastes have changed a lot throughout the years and I LOVE some foods that I used to never touch!!
3) Ok, this might not be so random-maybe some of you do this…but I love dipping french fries in a chocolate milkshake. Pure Heaven!! (Mostly wendy’s french fries into a frosty)…I know that is so bad for you, but seriously once in a while…it is the BEST!!
linds
February 7, 2008 at 5:53 pmI should really be studying lol but Kelly L you just gave me such a great procrastination opportunity, can’t pass those up 🙂
1) Running, definitely. I love to do distances. And walking! I live in Montreal, which is such a neat city, I love to walk for hours just exploring everywhere.
2) If I don’t love it, I don’t swallow. (Anton Ego the food critic from Ratatouille- love that movie lol). French Women Don’t Get Fat really shaped how I feel about food- eat the best quality you can find and you will only ever need a little bit to be perfectly satisfied 🙂
3) I’m having trouble thinking of this one right now.. I like to mix my cereal with yogurt too, but sometimes I add milk in there as well so it’s milky-creamy and sometimes I’ll add blueberries, peanut butter or slivered almonds..mm.. Ok I guess that IS kind of weird haha.
Serena
February 7, 2008 at 5:58 pmCaryee,
Congrats on losing weight a healthy way! I can totally relate to your comment about being able to eat a lot of food and not feel full, so I thought I’d respond. Here are my thoughts. 5’8″ and 128 is already a pretty low weight and I’m sure you’re very slim, so I’m not sure why you want to get down to 125. But if you can listen to your body, stay active, eat mostly healthy foods, not restrict calories and not gain weight, I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job and don’t need to worry about the exact number of calories you’re eating.
I used to finish my meal, then immediately decide I wanted a second helping or dessert. One thing I have FINALLY come to realize is that if I eat my meal and then stop, wait 15 minutes and then decide if I’m still hungry before eating more food, 9 times out of 10 I am satisfied without eating more food. So if you’re worried about eating too much at one meal, I’d maybe try that. It really does take time for the brain to tell the stomach it’s satisfied! Also, I think everyone deserves to eat a cookie for breakfast every now and then! 🙂
Becky
February 7, 2008 at 6:09 pmTrina, I totally do that with FF and Frosty’s!!!! Except I put extra salt on the fries….so so so so bad, but sooooooooo gooooooood! That is a once or twice a year treat….
jenna
February 7, 2008 at 6:51 pmAnna,
When did you graduate?? or are you still in school? My adviser was Carol Ann Davis….I LOVED her…I swear, she knows my entire life because I was always up in her office chatting or asking her advice and whatnot. She just released her first book of poetry (Psalms) in October and I ordered it from Amazon.com the other day! I also LOVED Dr.Carleson…he’s like a big teddy bear. He wrote me tons of recommendations and we still keep in touch…let’s see: is Dr.Hunt still there?! I took her Milton class as well as Adolescent Lit and they both were great. I really had such a great experience with professors. They were everything I could have ever asked for and more…I miss it so much! 🙁 My emphasis was fiction…but I sort of switched to poetry because I really found my niche my senior year..all because of Carol Ann! I started meeting with her independently a couple times a week + taking advanced poetry workshop last year and sort of “blossomed” into poetry. I would love to publish a book of poems sometime…….
Jenn,
I suppose yoU COULD use whole wheat flour although I wouldn’t just because when I bake cakes, I prefer the taste of white flour rather than the dense, heavier feel of whole wheat. Sometimes I use whole wheat flour for cookies, but never cake. Its just a personal preference I guess!
I have never baked with Splenda so I really don’t know the proportions….you could certainly try to reduce the sugar and sub in splenda but since I have never done that I can’t tell you how or how good it will taste!
Kay,
I certainly do buy books from amazon.com. I just ordered my mentor’s book (old college professor) as well as the book “skinny bitch” (just cause I’m interested!) yesterday. It IS cheaper sometimes although I always have to pay for shipping? How are you getting out of paying for that?!
Amy,
Which lentil soup are you referring to? I really LOVED the “chunky lentil soup” I made a while ago with squash and tomatoes…not sure if this is what you are talking about but it was very easy and tasty. I loved it and would make it again in a heartbeat.
I like Pacific brand organic soups…I don’t really buy Amy’s soups very often. When I have time I like to make my own soup……but sometimes I just buy it and then add on with my own vegetables or something to bulk it up. I like to make hearty, “stick to you” stews that are comforting and nutritious.
Re flax:
I really dont know too much about flax, as this is my first time using it, so I’m not sure about the calorie difference. 10 calories really isn’t anything major though and its such a good-for-you food that I wouldn’t worry in the least bit. Kath has been using flax for longer so perhaps she might know more than I on the subject!
Re olive oil cake:
I used white all purpose flour for this cake and that is what I would recommend because it lends to a fine crumb and perfect texture (whole wheat might make the cake dense and heavy) happy baking!!!!! 🙂
Kelly L.
February 7, 2008 at 6:51 pmThis is so fun! It’s also neat to learn from other people’s food mottos! I have tried the french fries in the frosty thing but never really got that enthused about it. One, I’m not a huge french fry person (never have been) and two, I have never been that big of a fan of chocolate frostys. However, have you tried the new vanilla ones? Those are so great! mmm…… Add some oreos to that and you are set. 🙂
Leng
February 7, 2008 at 7:30 pmMaggie,
I know you asked Jenna, but I thought I might be useful. LOL.
The added sugar depends on how much calories you consume in a day. It falls into the discretionary calories group. For instance if you need to consume around 1800 calories per day, you would allow yourself 195 calories of fat or sugars as extras. 1 g of fat is about 9 calories 1 teaspoon of table sugar is about 15 calories. Based on the USDA guidelines.
you could also go to http://www.mypyramid.com to check out how many discretionary calories are good for you. Or even http://www.webmd.com
Hope this helps!
Leng
February 7, 2008 at 7:31 pmOh by the way I almost forgot! ever since I started trying ground flax it’s been great–especially with oatmeal!
Trina
February 7, 2008 at 7:32 pmKelly, Sounds like an oreo blizzard, hehe! See, chocolate and french fries are my two vices, so I definitely LOVE the combo…but I can see how you could not like them if you aren’t a big ff person or frosty person for that matter 😉
Man, I haven’t had that in a LONG time and now I am craving it!! AGH!
I totally agree-learning from other people’s mottos is fun! I hope more people do this!
Leng
February 7, 2008 at 7:32 pmoh, sorry the first response was for Megan. oops! ~~~still asleep….
Danielle
February 7, 2008 at 7:35 pmJenna,
If you’re making a purchase on Amazon.com make sure that the total comes out to above $25 and that all the items are labeled as eligible for Super Saver Shipping. Then don’t forget to highlight that delivery option as you’re checking out and presto! free shipping 🙂
Ana
February 7, 2008 at 7:46 pmhaha! fun! i did this on kath’s too!
1. running, swimming, dance, soccer, and tennis (i do team sports but they are all different seasons)
2. “sometimes you want junk food: pizza, chips, ice cream, and sometimes you just want an apple! what’s wrong with that?” -me explaining to my (teen) friends why i chose an apple as opposed to the go-tarts they were pulling from the pantry.
3. the fridge was pretty bare one night, and it was supper time. i just went to the door and said “what am i really craving right now?” and i just started throwing whatever caught my fancy onto the island (counter)! it was weird, but pretty fun! i came up w/the BEST combination that was absolutely to die for: 1/2 cup cottage cheese over a bed of greens topped with 1/2 cup black beans. had crackers on the side. cc and bb are two of my favorite foods, and i NEVER thought to put them together but it was amazing!^_^
jenna
February 7, 2008 at 7:50 pmMy turn! I finally have time!!! 🙂
1. YOGA!!!!!!!
2. If you give your body what it wants it will give you what YOU want—a long, healthy, great life! 🙂
3. Weird food combo….hmm………I like to eat my scrambled eggs with ketchup! I also LOVE “sandwiches” made with graham crackers, marshmellow fluff and peanut butter. Oh man…so dangerous and SOOOO freakin good!
Fun!!!!! Thanks for a little breather in my busy day!
Kelly L.
February 7, 2008 at 7:55 pmMwahaha! I take full responsbility for those of you that are not working, studying or doing whatever else you are supposed to be doing. 😉
Anna
February 7, 2008 at 9:08 pmJenna- This is so funny! I feel like we should have been friends. I graduated in 2005, and also studied poetry under Carol Ann!! I got her book for Christmas, and love it of course. I’m in Indiana right now finishing up my MFA in poetry, and working on my first manuscript of poems, which hopefully one day will turn into a book…it’s a lot of work, but I’ve LOVED it. Do you think you’ll ever go back to school for writing?
Dr. Carleson scared the crap out of me for the first three years I was there, and then I took a class with him and he ended up being one of my all-time favorite professors. I always wanted to take that Adolescent lit class, but could never fit it into my schedule. I did take her husband, Bishop Hunt…he was a doozie. 🙂
It’s so much fun to reminisce…I had some great times with that English department!
HokieShelley
February 7, 2008 at 10:32 pmthis is fun, learning about everyone! here is me:
1) RUNNING!!!! I’ve been running for 11 years now. I did cross country and track in high school, and since then I’ve done a couple marathons and a couple half marathons. Right now I’m training for the Shamrock Half Marathon in VA Beach
2) food motto…hmm…healthy is tasty! haha I dunno
3) carrots with peanut butter. I always get weird looks for that one, but I swear it’s good.
Heather(II)
February 8, 2008 at 1:16 amWhat a fun idea:
(1) Yoga (running second)
(2) I don’t have one. 🙁 I will have to work on it.
(3) Raw carrots dipped in mustard. Second choice – french fries and malt vinegar (not weird in New England).
Adrienne
February 8, 2008 at 2:08 amI have a question, for Jenna or anyone else that wants to answer…I have started reading both Kath and Jenna’s blog and love them them both. I eat really healthy, i recently lost about 15 pounds by a combination of following weight watchers and the south beach diet, these blogs, and all of the nutrition/weight loss info I can find as well as working out a lot. I have never really shopped at health food stores (no whole foods or trader joes or any of those type stores around me)…but reading kath’s and jenna’s blog have been introduced to things i have never really heard about or knew existed(organic/flax seed/quinoa/steel cut oats/fage, etc). So to make a long story short i found a health food store and spent what seemed like 2 hours there!! But i am a bit perplexed….when i go food shopping the main things i look for is low calories, low fat, low sugar, no trans fat,moderate/low carbs, high fiber and high protein. I was so surprised that so much of the food i looked at (and have seen on these blogs) have high calorie/sugar, and low fiber and low protein but- maybe in particular the granola/cereals/bars/oatmeals type of items. In a nutshell, it didn’t seem like many of the items were low calorie/high fiber/high protein items. Are the organic/health food store foods better than items i can find at the regular grocery store? Or what are the differences? For example i saw a 2% fage (granted it was with honey) it had 22 grams of sugar!! I hope this confusion makes sense and can have some discussion. THanks for the blog! Its really helping me see another side of eating and food, that i can have a healthy, well rounded and satisfying lifestyle while eating good and tasty food! 🙂
Leng
February 8, 2008 at 2:28 amAdrienne,
Personally, I find Organic and FRESH to be the better, but economically it’s not really practical–especially for students.
Sugar and fats are necessarily bad for you (depends on what types of fats), it’s just if you have too much of it. But, even if you have too much of it one day you can always have a little bit less the next. I think, and Jenna emphasizes this also, that everyone is different, so everyone’s needs are different.
I say that if you have a sweet tooth or cravings for buttery foods, go for it, but just not too much where your health is at stake.
Hope this helps!
Leng
February 8, 2008 at 2:29 amgeeze what’s wrong with me today? on the last post I mean “Sugar and fats are NOT necessarily….”
~~~still asleep…..?