HAPPY FRIDAY! Woohoo!
I slept awful last night 🙁 I hate those nights when you are SO tired but you can’t seem to get to sleep…then when you do, you can’t stay asleep. I guess I just have a lot on my mind. My body is tired but my mind keeps racing! ugh! After tossing and turning for hours, I finally just got up around 7:00. For breakfast I had Nature’s Path granola with soy milk and a sliced banana. This never fails to really fill me up! I love granola! I also had a cup of english breakfast tea with cane sugar in it. And….I forgot to mention—yesterday morning I went to starbucks and got a coffee—-my first splenda temptation! For some reason I’m not really tempted at home, but when I’m out and its right in front of me it’s hard for me not to grab it! Well, I was quite proud of myself because I used 2 packets of sugar-in-the-raw instead! Go me!
Today I have class til noon then I have some housekeeping to do here like cleaning and blogging, of course. I’m going to a yoga class this evening then grocery shopping (!!!), then Ryan is coming later tonight! He won’t be here til probably 10:00 because he’s playing in a golf tournament during the day today but at least he’s coming! It’s another short weekend for me (have to work tomorrow night and all day sunday) and I’m already looking forward to NEXT weekend when I’m taking 3 days off to relax at home.
Rhodeygirl
February 8, 2008 at 1:11 pmIf it makes you feel any better- I don’t think ANYONE slept well last night. my roomie and I were both up at 4 AM (and I NEVER wake up through the night), my bro didn’t sleep well, and my best friend SMSed me at 5:30…. must be something in the moon?!
Lisa
February 8, 2008 at 1:16 pmI am OH SO EXCITED it’s Friday! YAY!
AshleyP
February 8, 2008 at 1:39 pmJenna and Kate,
Thanks so much for getting in touch with me so quickly! I bought “French Women Don’t Get Fat” last night and I’m about a 1/4 of the way through it (unfortunately, I neglected my HUGE pile of laundry!). I skipped ahead to read some of her recipes and will likely try one this weekend (probably the cauliflower because it’s on sale and it’s my new favorite veggie).
In response to your vitamin question, I’ve tried the Womens One a Day and it was pretty hard on my stomach. I have to take it when I definitely feel full, otherwise I feel nauseus (sp?). The one from Trader Joe’s sounds good, I wish I had one where I live. In a way I feel guilty because I have this practically full bottle of One a Day so I haven’t bought anything else, but it’s probably time to throw it away and try something new!
VeggieGirl
February 8, 2008 at 1:39 pmoh no! well, at least the weekend is here, so I hope that you will be able to sleep well over these next few days, and not worry about classes and such.
great choice with choosing sugar-in-the-raw – that’s the same thing as turbinado sugar, which is unrefined. hooray for no splenda! :0)
happy Friday!! It’s finally here!!
arimcg
February 8, 2008 at 1:57 pmJenna, you should try your coffee without any sweetener once and see what you think. I was a Splenda girl all the way and never thought I could drink coffee without it, but then I figured if I didn’t like the natural taste of coffee, I probably shouldn’t be drinking it. So I tried it with just skim milk and now I like it better that way. It took a couple days to get used to it, but it’s actually pretty good!
Kelly
February 8, 2008 at 2:00 pmFLAX IS FAILING ME!
So what am I doing wrong here? I still stiknin’ hungry and I just at the followinig 30 minutes ago:
@ 1 3/4 cups wheat bran cereal mixed with dannon light and fit vanilla, 1 cup of strawberries and 2 tbsp of flax. Then I had a banana.
I’m still hungry! This miracle flax thing just isn’t being very miraculous for me, LOL! I’m thinking of going out for a run. That should tell me if my hunger is in my head or belly (although I really think it’s in my belly)
jenna
February 8, 2008 at 2:05 pmI’d have to say its the yogurt…light and fit is like water to me since all it contains is fake sugar and skim milk. I’d go for an organic lowfat sugar instead. Plus…wheat bran cereal never fills me up!
here’s an alternative:
1/2-1 cup granola with 6 ounces lowfat or nonfat yogurt (not light and fit–one that is all natural) with a big handful of blueberries or a sliced banana and topped with 2 tbsp ground flax.
Katherine
February 8, 2008 at 2:14 pmJenna, I would really love to hear your opinion as well as everyone’s:
I know a lot of people say they use exercise as a stress reliever, but I find that often I don’t exercise because I am too stressed. I have so many things to do, exercising would take up too much time (by the time I get to the gym, shower, etc). How do you guys not think about all the things you have to do while you exercising?
Also, what do you all use laughing cow light wedges for versus the light cheese circles that are only 15 calories more and to me, taste alot better?
Amy C.
February 8, 2008 at 2:30 pmKatherine, I definitely use exercise as a stress reliever. I try to go running before work so that there is nothing else I would have been doing except sleeping a little longer. I find it a really good way to start the day and it makes me feel so much better to get my workout over before 7am (I go at 5:30). I also try to squeeze in 30 minutes on the elliptical at work during my lunch break. I don’t push myself as hard during lunch because I don’t want to get too sweaty but I figure even some moderate exercise is better than nothing and it makes me feel better the rest of the afternoon. Hope that helps!
Jenna, what kind of granola do you usually eat? I love granola but I’ve been staying away from it because so many seem high in calories. I’d love to add some back into my breakfast rotation if I can find a really good one. Thanks! (Btw, I slept horribly last night too. I woke up every hour, I think!)
Courtney
February 8, 2008 at 2:40 pmAshleyP — I used to take Women’s One A Day last year and I started to feel nauseous probably everyday that I took it! It was strange because I was taking it with my breakfast, which is always a good filling meal. So a couple weeks ago I decided to try the vitamin again because I ran out of my non-nauseous multi that I was taking…and everything was fine, no sick feelings in my stomach! BUT, this morning, for the very first time, I felt really sick to my stomach after breakfast and taking Women’s One a Day! 🙁 So you’re not alone, just experiment with another brand!
Mallory
February 8, 2008 at 2:48 pmKatharine-
I feel that it really helps to plan a specific time to work out, as well as to plan other things in your daily schedule. If I do not do this, I too get stressed out about working out and think I don’t have the time to fit it in. I have also found that going in the morning is much easier and seems to take up less time because you do not have to stop what you are doing and start back up again!
CountryGirl
February 8, 2008 at 2:53 pmTry breaking your multi vitamin in half and taking 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening. I too just bought a huge bottle of One A Day and I hate to waste anything. I just saw Oprah the other day and Dr. Oz was on talking about how you should break your multivitamin in half – something about not needing all the vitamins at once but spreading it out. I’ve tried it the last two days and it has really helped!
I’m a new poster, but I love the blog! On the flax seed – I love this and luckily I have a bulk foods store near my house where I can buy it already ground for under a $1 for a container!
Lisa
February 8, 2008 at 2:56 pmSo is it beneficial to be taking a multi vitamin daily? I used to all the time but lately have stopped b/c of just forgetting in the morning and not thinking it was worth it? With all the talk about it I think I should start taking them again!
Trina
February 8, 2008 at 3:05 pmKatharine, I just try and make my workout a priority-like going to work or school or brushing your teeth. If you think of it that way, then it doesn’t become jumbled in all the crazy to do lists! And, after you work out, hopefully you will feel less stressed about it all anyways!
Always works for me. Happy Friday Everyone-can’t wait to enjoy a nice weekend 🙂
blueberrybabe
February 8, 2008 at 3:24 pmThanks Maggie for your advice yesterday about my stinky work situation… at least it is friday! I hope you guys all have a great day. I am thinking of attempting to cook my own dinner tonight- wish me luck! May try the mixed veggies in tomato-ish sauce over ww pasta and maybe some tofu. REALLY hope it is tasty! But needed one more answer about cooking that i was confused about. Does garlic go in FIRST or LAST? i worry about burning it but i though it is supposed to flavor the olive oil? Thanks!
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 3:35 pmHey Jenna! Our engagement isn’t “official” yet bc were trying to save money for a ring( well he is anyway! haha) which will prob. be after summer but we have been seriously talking about getting married for the last few months and decided Aug. 09 would be perfect bc he doesn’t graduate until next yr. and I graduate in May but want to go to law school. we would get married tomorrow if we could (no money!)- we have been dating since we were 16 (I’m almost 22!) and I can’t imagine my life with someone else. haha I’m a cheese! Do you and Ryan talk about marriage in the near future? random- but do you ever read James Patterson books? Mysteries are my FAV and I have pretty much read them all- you would like them if you like mysteries!!
xoxo
Arika
February 8, 2008 at 3:55 pmKatherine ~
I find that exercising is the only time I am not thinking of all the things I have to do! It’s my “me” time. I concentrate on my stride or my breathing, or I read a good book or flip through a magazine to take my mind off of whatever it is thats stressing me. If you think of exercise as a burden, you’ll never feel motivated to go. Make it more fun if you can, exercise does not have to be confined to a gym. Try a long walk by a scenic pond or lake, or maybe join a sports league! Go with a friend! Another trick is to schedule your work outs in like you do any other important thing. You wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment would you? Having that mentality might help. Have your exercise bag all packed to minimize wasted time. Hope some of those tips help : )
As for the laughing cow cheese wedges, I love them as a spread on crackers or in sandwiches. My favorite is to spread one wedge on a peice of bread, top with smoked salmon, tomato spinach and dried dill, and then top it with the other slice of bread. Then I either toast it in a skilet, or I will press it in the george foreman grill for the best pannini style sandwich ever!
Happy Friday everyone!
Mallory
February 8, 2008 at 4:10 pmMel H-
I just saw what you wrote about James Patterson books…LOVE ‘EM!! Have you gotten “7th Heaven” yet? I bought it on Tuesday and can’t put it down!
Rae
February 8, 2008 at 4:43 pmMel and Mallory:
Me too!!! I got hooked on his Alex Cross book but the Women;s murder club is the best! I hope the writers strike ends soon because they really did a great job with the show they modeled after it.
Mel: I know what you mean about weddings being expensive…my fiance and I got engaged a few months ago and are getting maried in August 09….try looking at Friday evening or Sundays for a day, they are so much cheaper!!! Good luck!
Vegandancer
February 8, 2008 at 5:11 pmJenna, I just emailed you from my gmail account…although I realized that I used my real name, not ‘vegandancer’ oops…
Enjoy your Friday!
🙂
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 5:28 pmMallory,
No! I haven’t seen that one yet! I can seriously read on in one or two days (well when I don’t have school). I love them all, but the womens murder club series was my fav! I’ll for sure buy that book this weekend- I need a new one! I also love John Grisham, Vince Fylnn, and W.E.B Griffin if you need more authors to read- they are more like CIA murder mysteries! Happy reading!
Mel
ktbabs
February 8, 2008 at 5:32 pmJenna,
First of all, great job! I started reading this blog a few weeks ago and I really love your meal ideas and attitude! Secondly, you’d mentioned looking for Skinny Bitch after hearing about it (and then quoted it)- are you reading it? I’ve heard a lot about it too and read an excerpt on Amazon – definitely an unique take on educating people about nutrition. I can’t decide if it’s an effective approach or a little too much. Anyone read it? The cookbook had some interesting ideas too but it didn’t look like they included calorie/nutritional info for their dishes – can anyone confirm? Like many people mentioned yesterday, I try not to track my calories day to day, but like to have an idea when I go to make a new meal.
Nicole
February 8, 2008 at 5:39 pmKatharine–
Try doing some kind of workout that uses a lot of thought. I feel the exact same way: if I’m stuck on a treadmill by myself for an hour, all I can think about are the hundreds of other things I need to be doing. But: if you go to yoga or something similar, you’ll probably hurt yourself thinking about anything other than yoga. It takes your mind totally off of the outside world, and makes you focus on yourself, which is a wonderful change for people who are prone to ignoring themselves.
Good luck!
Elizabeth
February 8, 2008 at 5:43 pmOn James Patterson – I love the James Patterson inspired tv show, Women’s Murder Club, and have been thinking of trying his books. Which one should I start with, Mel H and Mallory? Thanks!
jenna
February 8, 2008 at 5:47 pmMel H,
Since Ryan reads ALL these comments I won’t say anything drastic…only that yes we talk about it quite often and we both are VERY excited for me to move back in September!!! 😉
Mallory
February 8, 2008 at 6:03 pmElizbeth-
The Women’s Murder Club series is fantastic! I would start from the beginning with 1st to Die. Let me know how you like them!
I also hope the series comes back soon. It is so great now to be able to actually picture the characters!
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 6:30 pmhaha Jenna thats so funny! Ryan is a very lucky guy!!
elizabeth- I second mallory’s idea! The womens murder club books are even better than the show- but be prepared to be glued to the books once you start! when I start a good book, I become a huge loser and choose reading over going out! haha! which is a lot. Rae- I love his Alex Cross books too! We are looking into Friday night instead of Saturday, bc it is seriously thousands of dollars cheaper to rent out a place for a reception and catering. I guess everyone wants Saturday for some reason! I for one would rather just elope and get married, but both of our parents would KILL us! haha!
Cara
February 8, 2008 at 6:43 pmthat’s so weird – I’ll join in and say that I also didn’t sleep well last night. Tossing and turning like crazy. hmm 😛
Rae
February 8, 2008 at 7:29 pmI have a strange food question. I eat pretty halthy during the day, am active (cardio and/or strength sessions 6x a week). I dont restrict my food intake, eat plenty of fiber, have somewhat of a sweet tooth, but no ones perfect! My problem is at night. No matter what I eat during the day, I wake up betwen 1-3am to use the bathroom and i ALWAYS hit the fridge up before I go to bed. Sometimes its yogurt, a bowl of cereal…sometimes I sit there an eat for a good 20 minutes and wake up bloated and feeling really lethargic the next morning. I looked it up online and it seems it might be “Night Eating Syndrome”. Is anyone familiar with this and/or experienced it? Any tips on how to get rid of this annoying and unhealthy behavior?
Thanks, Ladies! Jenna, fabulous blog!
Kristin
February 8, 2008 at 10:50 pmI cannot find the olive oil cake recipe ANYWHERE on this site!! Can anyone help?? I am dying to try it!
Mallory
February 9, 2008 at 12:35 amKristin-
It’s on the recipe page!!