Ryan, after reading the blog religiously ever day, went to the store to go food shopping for me! He bought me steel cut oats, bananas and 1% milk! aaww! He was so proud of himself! So, I made the instant steel cut oats this morning with water, a banana, a heaping tbsp of toasted walnuts and I threw in about 2 ounces of the milk after the oats had cooked in the microwave. I’ve never tried instant steel cut oats and they were pretty good, but def. DO have a much different texture than the kind you make on the stove. This was a great substitute though when you don’t have time or don’t have a stove (like in a dorm room!)
I don’t know if any of you all know what “Gasparilla” is, but its basically Tampa’s form of Mardi-Gras. It.is.crazy. Basically, from right now (8:05 am) to tonight, everybody will just be in the streets drinking and catching beads from floats and the “pirates invade” from the bay. I actually have never been because last year I was in college. I can’t go today either because I have to work at 5:30 tonight but Ryan and I are going to an early morning Gasparilla party this morning at one of our friend’s parent’s house, who live right on the bay and can watch the “pirates” come in. It’s all very confusing, so I don’t blame you if you dont understand really what I’m saying. I don’t really understand it either, since I’ve never been. Ryan said last night he doesn’t think it would be “my cup of tea”..and I’m sure he’s probably right. Maybe a couple of years ago when I was in college and the idea of drinking and running around all day outside seemed like a great idea…but now, not so much. The big problem for me today is going to be the TRAFFIC…aka, getting on the interstate to go back to Orlando because most of the streets here are closed today. All businesses/stores are closed today too here! It’s sort of a big deal! So, Ryan and I are going to this party in about half an hour…but I will be drinking coffee I’m sure while everyone else has bloody marys and mimosas because I have to drive back 🙁
About 373 calories.
VeggieGirl
January 26, 2008 at 2:02 pmaww, how nice of Ryan!! :0)
never heard of Gasparilla before, but it does sound quite fun – I love the Mardi Gras-type beads and the parades (you should bake a King Cake for the occasion!!) :0) but I’m like you – I’m not a partier, so the actual “festivities” of that holiday aren’t my “cup of tea”; I just enjoy it as a tradition.
happy saturday!!
Shelley
January 26, 2008 at 2:13 pmthe other day someone asked a question about strength training and running, and I just wanted to throw my two cents in. Leg exercises should definitely not be cut out completely from your weekly routine if you are a runner. If you are not used to running a lot, then, like Jenna said you should rest or do something easy the day before a hard run. However, you really do need to do some sort of strength training on your legs a couple times a week. Running is very hard on your legs (esp knees and ankles), and strengthening your leg muscles (as well as proper stretching) definitely helps prevent injuries. Lunges and squats are great b/c they work your whole leg. If you have knee problems, a lot of it, if not all of it, can be alleviated and/or prevented by strengthening your inner and outer quad muscles.
jess
January 26, 2008 at 2:59 pmHey jenna! I’m a faithful reader but haven’t posted a comment in a while because it seems like you’re getting so many now (good for you, by the way, the blog is Def. catching on!) and the questions are all so great that I couldn’t think of any better to ask. But I just wanted to say that your hair looks awesome and I was thinking of going about that length myself- You pull it off amazingly! Also, congrats on the amazing practical score (pulling scones out of a hat=super impressive) AND I just got Medditeranean Women Stay Slim Too- thanks SO much for reccommending it I love it already and find that it applies to me even a little better than french women don’t get fat. Keep the book recommendations comin’. You’re doing an amazing job on the blog and school and everything and I know that you’ll have absolutely no problem when your schedule becomes even a bit more hectic- good thing you’re so organized (I’m still working on that one ;)). Have an incredible weekend!!!
-jess
Susan
January 26, 2008 at 3:43 pmShelly how do you strengthen your inner and outer quads- just lunges?
Also, I think Jenna does yoga-does that involve lots of lunges?
Amber
January 26, 2008 at 3:48 pmJenna, your haircut is so cute!
Thanks for the advice about inversions in yoga, I would not have thought of that. So during the year you practiced yoga everyday- did you just stop for a whole week?
Also, this my next question is for Jenna and anyone else who has advice. I am a morning exerciser, but like most people don’t have much time in the morning. Do you guys typically shower in the morning or at night and when do you exercise. Thanks-have a good weekend!
Christie
January 26, 2008 at 3:53 pmSusan,
Do Lunges multidirectional- meaning foward, backward to the side and on angles that way you are hitting all diffeent areas of your quads and it is very functional b/c we do these movements in evryday enviorments.
Susan
January 26, 2008 at 3:55 pmThanks Christie. How did you all learn so much about exercising. Its kinds overwhelming. Its so easy to injure yourself.
Katie
January 26, 2008 at 4:01 pmHi Jenna –
You are adorable inside and out! Love the new ‘do!
I made steel cut oats this a.m. vs. my usual thick rolled oats based on your recommendation and really loved the chewy texture. I cooked them the same way as usual – 1 cup of milk on the stovetop. (No presoaking.) I was suprrised that it only took about 10 minutes longer than usual. I go about my morning routine while they are cooking, so the 20 – 25 minutes to prepare isn’t an inconvenience at all.
So, thanks for the recommendation, Jenna. I love steel cuts! And, for those of you who are put off by the pre-soaking ordeal, it’s not necessary at all!
BTW, I use Bob’s Red Mill brand.
Christie
January 26, 2008 at 4:01 pmI have my undergrad in exercise science!
Lauren
January 26, 2008 at 5:43 pmI was in Tampa one year for Gasparilla…it was sort of insane, but very interesting! I think Tampa is a great city; I’d love to live there sometime. I may be a northerner by birth, but I strongly desire a warmer climate…
Have fun today!
katie
January 26, 2008 at 6:26 pmHey Jenna,
As a runner, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog so thanks for all your hard work:-) I wanted to ask you a quick question. I run about 40-60 miles a week(I train for marathons) but would like to be about 10 pounds lighter(I am about 130 at 5’4 would like to be about 120). I’ve been tracking what I’ve been eating but was wondering what you would recommend as far as fat grams per day goes. I’ve read that 30% of your calories should be from fat but when I calculate that it seems high. I am wondering about how much of your daily caloric intake is fat?
Thanks:-)
jenna
January 26, 2008 at 7:07 pmAmber,
I’m a little confused on what your question is? I practiced yoga 6 times a week and rested one day a week. I also walked a couple miles everyday going to and from class.
Katie,
I’m not sure on an exact percentage of my calories from fat but I know it probably is right up there. I eat a lot of fat in my diet from nuts and oils (mono and poly unsaturated)…I eat more of a mediterranean diet, which is rich in these kinds of fats and studies have shown the numerous health benefits of these on your heart. Since you run so much, I’m guess that extra 10 pounds is purely muscle since you really cant have that much fat on you at alll when you run those long distances. I wouldnt try to lose any more weight because then you might lose some valuable muscle. When you run so much your body NEEDS those calories from fat to protect you because your body is burned everything you eat off at mega rates. I would just concentrate on eating clean and not any “junk”…also avoid alcohol because it might hinder your performance and leads to extra calories.
Lisa
January 26, 2008 at 8:02 pmAmber,
I am a 6-7am exerciser during the week (9am on weekend! I consider that sleeping in but I really think its bc the gym doesnt open until then), I get up at 5:10, have a few crackers as that is all I can stomach in the early hours, walk the 10 minutes to the gym (wish I had a car!), work out until 7am, literally power walk home, jump into the shower, make breakfast, and I am out the door at 8:15 to make it to work for 9am. If I worked any early I wouldnt be able to do it all in the am though. Plus I get WAY too sweaty when I do my cardio work not to shower right after, and it helps being only a 10 minute walk to the gym so I can shower at home and not cart all my stuff to the gym, get ready there and carry it all on the bus to work. If I had a car then it would be different, but alas no. Hope that helps!
Amber
January 26, 2008 at 8:17 pmSorry, my question was confusing. I don’t really like the gym, so I always make excuses not to go. But I do like yoga, so like you, I prefer while I can to mostly stick with yoga. So, my question is that the year that you practiced yoga 6 days a week, what would you do the one week a month that you had your period. I don’t want to not build muscle (through yoga) for a whole week once every month. Any advice?
jenna
January 26, 2008 at 9:14 pmOh…ok I understand now! I would still practice, just not do the inversions. I would sit in “child’s pose” while the class did them. You can still practice..you just cant do certain postures. Hope that helps!
Helen
January 27, 2008 at 2:09 amAwe! I moved out of Tampa about a year ago and miss Gasparilla so much! Glad to hear others are still enjoying it :-]
Sarah
January 27, 2008 at 3:23 amOne way to help with morning exercises is to invest in a few things to build up a home gym. A jumprope is one of the best pieces of cardio equiptment you can buy, and they only cost about 3 dollars. Since jumping is very high impact, you can get a great cardio workout in only 30 minutes while toning your arms and legs with out leaving your house. Also, bands are fairly inexpensive and are great for toning arms and legs. I got a pack of 3 from Target for about 10 dollars. Other good investments are dumbells, I have 5, 8, and 10 pounds sets which I also bought from Target. These are great for upper body toning and lunges and squats. I also love to “power walk” around my neighborhood with the five pound weights, just adding in some upper body moves with the weights raises my heart rate about 20 bpm. Most of these things come with pamphlets with sample exercises and there are lots of examples online for free. It is very easy to get a great workout at home in less than an hour, that way you save lots of time off commuting to and from the gym.