Yay for it being already Wednesday! I have to work tonight and tomorrow night, but Ryan is coming here on Friday night so I’m already excited 🙂
I slept in a little this morning (wooo till 7:30…getting crazy over here) because I couldn’t fall asleep last night. I think it was all that caffeine I had yesterday. It was still in my system even though I consumed it all before noon. That is precisely why I ONLY have one cup of coffee or caffeinated tea a day. My body is super sensitive to it and for awhile, I cut it all out….but in real life it’s hard to get through the day without a little something! haha!
I decided to use my new ground flax packets this morning to do something creative. Well, not that creative really but different than my usual breakfast! Kath had french toast yesterday and just seeing it made me really start to have a serious craving…so, I made my own! I used 2 slices Rudi’s Organic Honey Sweet Whole Wheat Bread, 2 egg whites and a splash of soy milk to make the french toast, then I topped it with some pure maple syrup, a “flax pak” and a handful of blueberries. I had an Amy’s meatless sausage patty with it! Wonderful! I love having this extra time in the morning!
Breakfast has always been my absolute favorite meal and I love spending time to make special breakfasts for myself..however, its hard when you are pressed for time! Now that I don’t have school (or, soon-to-be work) till 10:00 every morning, I need to make it more of a point to make nice breakfasts.
I’m glad I finally jumped on the flax bandwagon this morning! I was a little skeptical on my first bit of french toast + ground flax (the flax sort of looked and tasted a little like dirt or something)…but then I got used to it and rather liked it by the end. I probably was a little extreme, dumping the entire packet on my toast when I should have slowly weaned myself into it. Oh well. I will use this again. Probably tomorrow! It tastes like it would be a great addition to my morning oats.
About 468 calories.
VeggieGirl
February 6, 2008 at 1:25 pmoh I know!! I can’t believe how quickly this week is flying by!! whoo hoo!! :0D
sleeping in until 7:30am during the week would be EXTREMELY crazy for me too, so don’t worry, haha.
I have those same flax packets, and I find that they’re much more convenient than grinding my own flax seeds – they’re perfect for smoothies, oatmeal; and even for your scrumptious-looking French Toast breakfast (but one full packet MIGHT be a little too much for the toast, haha)!! Both your culinary creation and Kath’s/Kath’s husband’s look MARVELOUS!!
happy wednesday!!
p.s. did you see my comment on my blog (my response to YOUR comment)? just want to make sure you got the answers you needed :0)
jenna
February 6, 2008 at 1:33 pmI did! Thanks so much! 🙂
Lisa
February 6, 2008 at 1:33 pmJenna and VeggieGirl…where do you find the flax seed packs?? I’ve only seen the actual seeds then I grind them myself…just curious! Thanks guys!
Lisa
February 6, 2008 at 1:35 pmoh wait!!…I just read last nights post….W.F….pooo I don’t have one 🙁
Erica
February 6, 2008 at 1:39 pmYour french toast looks fabulous Jenna! I definitely know what i’m having for breakfast tomorrow morning!
VeggieGirl
February 6, 2008 at 1:39 pm**Lisa:
Even though the flax packs are available at W.F., I actually ordered my flax packs online, here: http://carringtonfarms.com/products.cfm?product=-Flax-Paks
Lisa
February 6, 2008 at 1:48 pmok…eating all organic is pricey!! I totally understand all the benefits of eating an all organic diet but I just looked up those flax paks and they’re almost $10! lol I would love to eat more of the organic stuff but it puts a huge dent in my budget! How do you all do it??
chandra
February 6, 2008 at 1:53 pmJenna – I know how you feel about the caffeine thing. I used to have a bad diet coke/red bull habit/addiction and I’ve gone the past few months with no caffeine at all pretty much. Then last week I was introduced to “mochas” (hot chocolate packets made with half hot water half coffee – I’m not a big coffee drinker, I never knew of this wonderful drink before!) and I found myself having one every day last week and stopping for a lattee at Starbucks on Saturday! I felt jittery and wired every day, and I hate that feeling – but I wanted the new flavor in my drink! Luckily I found out where they stash the decaf coffee in my office now – same taste, no caffeine, great deal! 🙂
Happy Wednesday! Be thankful you aren’t getting buried under 6-9 inches of snow like we are!
Heather(II)
February 6, 2008 at 1:55 pmHi Jenna and Readers: I think I understand that you only get the benefits from flax if it is ground, so I am wondering whether products, like Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond flax, which have whole flax seeds have any benefit at all or am I getting scammed by the word “flax” in the name?
Thanks!
ibex
February 6, 2008 at 2:04 pmSo jealous of the blueberries, I’m still reliant on the frozen ones! Only a few more month 🙂 Your breakie looks great, I’m going to go give it a whirl sometime soon!
Have a great day!
Jtine
February 6, 2008 at 2:10 pmI just bought a big box of ground flax this week after seeing it on Kath’s blog. I’ve been adding it to oatmeal and, this morning, threw it in my yogurt with some blueberries. I really think it might help keep me full longer.
Casey
February 6, 2008 at 2:15 pmFor anyone who knows
does Jenna count calories like Kath? I’m not saying its bad just curious…
Have a good day all 🙂
Susan
February 6, 2008 at 2:24 pmJenna,
I asked this the other day, but your blog gets flooded with questions b/c its so popular :), but I was just curious how your mom got the recipe to black dog tavern’s hummus- I love that restuaruant!
The french toast looks great!
And Casey, Jenna provides calorie counts for her readers since its hard to judge amounts by picture. But she is not a “calorie counter.”
Annie
February 6, 2008 at 2:26 pmCasey, Jenna said she doesnt usually count calories, but goes by how her body feels. I think she said she eats about 1800 cals per day usually. When she puts up calories its more for us (the readers) then herself. Im prety sure she answered that under her FAQ at the top of the page though if you wanna look thru them for yourself.
jenna
February 6, 2008 at 2:27 pmSusan,
We have the cookbook 🙂 I love that restaurant too!
Brianne
February 6, 2008 at 2:35 pmYUM, I love French toast. I’m so jealous of your fresh blueberries! When I went grocery shopping they did have blueberries, strawberries and raspberries (finally!) but they were still really pricey. I can’t wait till summer- the fresh produce is just the best!
Michelle
February 6, 2008 at 2:37 pmHey! I have been reading your blog lately, along with Kath’s. I have to say I love your blog, and I am so jealous that you are in culinary school. It is a dream of mine, but I am too wienie to up and do it. Also, I read on your blog and Kath’s that you went to the College of Charleston…I too am an alum!! I don’t know how you left…I came here for college, and couldn’t leave…luckily my husband is from Charleston and feels the same way. I just want to say “Hi” to a fellow Cougar (the mascot, not older women dating younger men 🙂
Brianne
February 6, 2008 at 2:38 pmHeather- whole flax is a bit of a scam. You basically just pass out whole flax seeds so don’t get the benefit of the omega 3’s. It might add a bit of fiber but not much else! If you enjoy the taste by all mean still eat it but if your eating it for the flax you are better of buying a bag and adding it to your cereal!
Casey
February 6, 2008 at 2:41 pmThanks so much– i guess i probably could have looked!
arimcg
February 6, 2008 at 2:43 pmI have been craving french toast all week! I keep trying to convince my boyfriend to have it for dinner, even, but he’s not buying it 🙂 I think I might have to just make it for myself for breakfast tomorrow!
Ryan
February 6, 2008 at 2:43 pmHey Jenna and all–
I’ve been a notorious junk food eater most of my life because I’m lucky enough to be one of those skinny dudes. Yes I know it will catch up to me. Well, as luck would have it, I’m dating this woman who actually likes eating things that are good for her, and you’ll probably be happy to know that she’s rubbing off on me, as in no Gray’s Papaya hot dogs for a month and counting…
So here’s my question. Her birthday is coming up and I wanted to surprise her with a brunch, but I really want to do the cooking because it’s something I usually don’t do at all. She’s in environmental law and has a stressful time so I wanted to have it at my place so she can just kick back and relax with some friends. (1) What do I serve that’s simple yet tastes, to be blunt, like I really like this woman? I can do effort, just not extremely complicated recipes. (2) How do you get egg whites from the actual egg? She prefers the whites and when I see an egg, I usually make a mess with the yolk as it is!
Thanks!
Jenna, my sisters love your blog!
Janie
February 6, 2008 at 2:45 pmJenna-
I have a question totally unrelated to your breakfast post, I remember you saying that you practiced Bikram yoga a lot in college. I have never taken a class, but have done some other forms of yoga, never consistently. I am interested in trying a class but am very intimidated by it…any tips for a first timer? I’m looking for something to improve my health and help me tone up/lose weight, but also really looking for something to help with stress. Thanks so much, I love reading your blog everyday!:)
Ryan
February 6, 2008 at 2:46 pmYeah, and I should add to your readers that I’m a different Ryan than your boyfriend (don’t want to get him in trouble!) Again, thanks for any advice given!
Grace
February 6, 2008 at 3:02 pmJanie: I just have to respond b/c I love Bikram yoga. I remember my first class just over a year ago. I was hot and sweaty and my arms were shaking. However, I slept better than ever that night. Now, I’m a regular.
Make sure to drink a ton of water before and after. Also, just don’t chug a whole bunch right before the class to prevent stomach discomfort.
I think it’s great for stress relief because it takes your mind off everything and you just focus on your body for 90 minutes. I remember being a little self conscious my first class, but don’t be. Everyone in there started with a first class. Just keep at it!
I hope you enjoy it!
Katie R
February 6, 2008 at 3:22 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/fashion/24fitness.html?pagewanted=1&ref=fitnessandnutrition
Jenna and everyone else– I just thought this was such a great article and I know you enjoy yoga.. hope you enjoy!
blueberrybabe
February 6, 2008 at 3:45 pmabout this whole flax seed discussion… i just recently bought that nature’s path pumpkin flax granola. so since the flax seeds are whole does that mean i am not getting the nutrients from them? if so, why are they in there? thanks!
Noodle
February 6, 2008 at 3:48 pmIf the flax seeds are whole you don’t get the benifits…I know…it’s a scam…someone wasn’t thinking when they made that granola. I think there is also an oatmeal out there that has whole flax…pointless again.
SDF
February 6, 2008 at 4:12 pmHey ladies,
First off, I want to start off with how much I LOVE this blog! I read it everyday, and not only has it given me great ideas of different things to make (I’m going to try and make the biscotti sometime soon) but also has started to change my perception of food. I’m a terrible calorie counter-counting everything that goes into my mouth. However, the problem is that I count it AFTERWARDS-so I eat whatever I want, and then feel really guilty about it later.
I wanted to ask all of you ladies (you have such a great community set up here) about how you all do it. I eat really healthy during the day (I just switched to an office job and I’ve been really good with having a good breakfast, a good lunch, and a mid afternoon healthy snack) and then I go and work out about 3 days a week, but for dinners and weekends I just go crazy. I don’t want to call it bingeing because it’s not, but I just want to eat and eat and eat-and I never feel full. How can I stop this so that I don’t end up weighing a million pounds?
Also, how do I adjust my eating to an office job? I use to be a student and a bartender, so I was always walking or standing, and got to be in really good shape. I don’t want to gain any weight but I don’t know if I should just not be eating even though I’m hungry while my body adjusts (SELF claims I should be eating just over 1400 calories a day-I would STARVE) or how exactly I should be changing my habits.
Thanks ladies-I’m sorry that this turned into a letter vs. a quick question…once I got started I couldn’t stop typing!
VeggieGirl
February 6, 2008 at 4:16 pmAbout the whole flaxseeds: listen to Brianne, she’s right, haha – whole flaxseeds are not digest by the body; nor can the body readily absorb the nutrients: http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81
Arika
February 6, 2008 at 4:34 pmI thought this was an interesting little read on counting calories:
http://www.heractivelife.com/women/comment/curb-your-calorie-counting/
What do you all think?
JennS
February 6, 2008 at 4:39 pmHello, this question has been asked before on other blogs (maybe even this one) but my finacee is strictly a meat and potatoes man. he loves fat and he loves grease. i am jealous because he is also in incredible shape… for example monday night he made hamburger on white toast with onions BBQ sauce and cheese. last night he made a chicken and cheese quesadilla with bbq sauce. if anyone has any suggestions on how to get him to eat healthy with me (or at least fool him with my cooking) haha. please let me know. thanks!
Catie
February 6, 2008 at 4:48 pmhey jenna!! how have you used your afpa certification since you got it? Have you found it’s worth something to pursue? P.S. love the blog!
Trina
February 6, 2008 at 4:54 pmI think that article is a GREAT example of WHY we love Jenna and her blog so much. Because she is the perfect role model when it comes to being nutritionally aware, YET still very creative and intuitive in her food/meal ideas!
She is aware of the calories that she takes in, but just as a range of estimating closely as opposed to counting/obsessing over every single calorie. I think that the article depicts someone to be just like Jenna 🙂
I do think there is a fine line between going too far either way though. It is hard to keep up the type of balance that Jenna does. It is hard to stay between OVER obsessing over calories and not obsessing enough (which is why obesity is a problem…).
Good article-thanks for sharing!!
Serena
February 6, 2008 at 4:58 pmSuch an interesting discussion about flax and bikram yoga. On the yoga front, it’s been a while since I’ve gone, but I do love it. One word of advice when you’re new – I read a NYT article about how the heat makes it easier to pull muscles because you can over-stretch with your muscles being so warm. It was so tempting for me to try to keep up with the regulars when I first started, but I think it’s important to ease into it and listen to your body. I agree though – it feels great afterwards and definitely helps me get a good night’s sleep! Now I think I want to start going again…
Sydnie
February 6, 2008 at 5:04 pmWow VeggieGirl I was just about to ask what flax seeds taste like and what all the hype is about, when you posted the link. Thanks!!
Chandra- you’re not in Utah are you? Just wondering cause it won’t stop snowing here!
Arika
February 6, 2008 at 5:07 pmTrina, I thought of Jenna too when I read that article. She seems to really have that healthy balance that many of us strive for! There is such a fine line between obsessing over each little calorie, and not caring enough. I think calorie counting can become very obsessive, and I think the article makes some good points to help people move away from those bad tendencies. I am not saying calorie counting is bad, it can be very beneficial for many, but I find calorie counting to really detract from the joy of food, which is what the article was getting at I think.
Trina
February 6, 2008 at 5:24 pmArika, I agree!! I think so many of us get in a rut about eating the same thing over and over just to KNOW how many calories we are taking in (well I get that way at least..). The article makes a great point in realizing how to actually ENJOY food without obsessing!
I love all of Jenna’s ideas for recipes and meal compilations too. It helps me to think outside the box without worrying WHAT I am eating and how bad it is for me (bc I know Jenna makes great, healthy foods!)!!
By the way, you were the one wanting to make polenta right? How did it turn out?
Andrea
February 6, 2008 at 6:11 pmhey!
I think I know the gelato place you were talking about in Charleston.. is it Modica? I’m a freshman at the college of charleston and definately love my gelato!
emily
February 6, 2008 at 6:13 pmRyan-
To seperate the egg yolk from the white you can get an egg seperator thing for not too much money and you just crack the egg into it and it will catch the yolk. You can also use egg substitutes or buy a carton of egg whites.
As far as what to cook….
Try Jenna’s Simple Seared Salmon Dinner and serve it with some whole grain rice and veggies, etc.
You could also try a simple shrimp scampi (yum!)
OR Kath’s Mushroom soup (http://www.katheats.com/?page_id=433) It is SO simple and SO tasty! Serrve it with a french bread or something and it would really hit the spot!
Arika
February 6, 2008 at 6:42 pmI 100% agree on everything you said Trina! I haven’t got to make the polenta yet (have to pick up the ingredients tomorrow) but I plan on giving it a try this weekend with the chilli. I will let you know how it turns out. ALthough after seeing Jenna’s corn bread, that looks eqaully appealing to go with chilli.
Trina
February 6, 2008 at 6:47 pmSDF-
Your situation sounds just like mine! After I got out of college, I started in an office job which was way different (I served and bartended in college AND walked all around campus). These are the things I do:
First of all, I bring HEALTHy snack and meal options with me to work. I make sure that I have A LOT of options available in case I get hungry and so that I don’t go and pick up bad food.
I had a REALLY hard time with dinners and weekends too…so what I have done is make sure I eat enough throughout the day so that I don’t feel so extremely hungry for dinner. I also make sure I work out basically every day after work b/c it really makes me want to eat a nice, healthy dinner afterwards. I do have about half of my calories throughout the day and save half for dinner–for ME this works b/c I like to have a nice, big dinner (especially when I took the time to cook it) and after my work out I am more hungry.
And, as for lowering your calories to adjust, I would just slowly remove little amounts of calories from your diet until you are where you need to be. Since you are not as active as you were before, your body will realize this and adjust! 🙂 Hope this helps!
For weekends, I give mysellf a little bit of a break!! I eat healthy all day on Friday, but allow myself to endulge a little for dinner (usually go out to eat). And, Saturday I try to eat healthy choices, but if we end up goign out at all I don’t kill myself over it. If we stay home, I try to make healthier choices but I still eat more calories than on a workday (afterall you are probably doing more than sitting at a desk…) and Sundays, I usually try to get back on track for the work week.
Trina
February 6, 2008 at 6:51 pmRyan,
For a nice brunch idea that is simple…
I would go with a simple omelet filled with veggies. You can make an egg-white omelet and just chop up a bunch of veggies (spinach, tomatoes, onions, whatever you like) to throw in there.
Maybe you can throw in some oatmeal pancakes as a side (super easy to make-see Kath’s blog)
And then just put together some plain yogurt with fruit. Maybe a boca sausage link or something too.
This should give you a pretty nice spread that would look really fancy, but isn’t all that much effort. Have fun-what a lucky girl 🙂
Trina
February 6, 2008 at 6:52 pmYes, Arika, let me know how the polenta turns out! Sounds good! I hear ya, Jenna’s cornbread is giving me some serious cravings. Cornbread is probably one of my fave foods-and usually it isn’t all that great for you. I can’t wait to try her healthier version!!
Janie
February 6, 2008 at 8:09 pmThanks Grace and Selena for your comments about bikram! I am now even more excited to try it!
Emily W.
February 6, 2008 at 10:16 pmRyan-
oops! I thought you said dinner!! Trina has some great ideas for brunch!
Sara F
February 7, 2008 at 4:44 amRyan-
I am sort of a health food junkie myself…but breakfast is my favorite meal and I love sweet stuff. So, maybe you would want to consider combining healthy with fun. One of my breakfast favorites is pancakes. You can make this healthy by buying a whole wheat pancake mix and making it using mostly egg whites, skim milk, and a little less oil than recommended. Then serve the pancakes with a mix of colorful berries on top or on the side. Bananas are really good as well. Get some real maple syrup because if you’re gonna splurge it might as well be on something really good. For healthier toppers you could also put out some chopped walnuts, a dish of peanut butter, honey, or jam. (or all of the above for a really impressive spread) This is a simple meal that would be great with some scrambled eggs on the side or maybe some canadian bacon (which is low in fat, high in protein, and really delicious) A flavored coffee is also a good compliment. Good luck and happy cooking!
Ryan
February 7, 2008 at 5:21 amThanks for your ideas. Here’s to hoping I won’t set the smoke alarm off. (That is of course a joke.)