I had chili tonight as an early pre-work dinner (the LAST time for awhile—I promise!!!!). The thing I LOVE about chili, veggie chili especially, is that it just seems to get better and better the longer it sits in your fridge. Now, I’m not proposing letting a big container of chili rot in your fridge for weeks on end…but it can def. last a week and there’s no chance of the meat going bad—because there’s no meat! So tonight, I broke it out for the last time. No cheese tonight—instead I crumbled in a toasty piece of the other night’s cornbread. Just LOVE that combo–never gets old! I also had a fresh spinach salad using about 1.5-2 cups raw baby spinach with some sliced cucumbers and a quick dressing made from (*about) a tsp of olive oil and a dash of red wine vinegar. Sorry I’ve been so boring this week–eating chili so much, but I really HATE wasting food…good food at that! But now its gone and we can all move on.
This afternoon while I was putting some magical touches on a poster project for class (very 2nd grade-don’t ask) I snacked on a little (about a half portion) Nature’s Path granola and a cut up kiwi. That weird little black thing in the granola in the picture is nothing but a harmless dried cherry! I swear!
I’m bringing with me some nut & chocolate trail mix for later. I put it into a plastic baggie because its easier for me to reach down under the hostess stand and grab a little handful in between seating people 🙂
Trail mix looks kinda odd because it was sitting in my hot car the other day and the chocolate kind of melted and then re-formed. Still tasty though!
Megs
February 7, 2008 at 10:36 pmI just had your pb on a sliced in half banana after my bikram yoga class and I am quite possible the happiest person EVER!!! I could eat that 5 times a day!
Thanks
Katherine
February 7, 2008 at 10:39 pmHi guys. Cristin on eat like me, said that she could not live without carnation instant breakfast. I have never had it before, and my question is, if you take a multivitamin what is its purpose? Does it make things more filling? Jenna you had one once, did it fill you up more or just add taste?
Megs are you from north carolina too?
Terrormisu
February 7, 2008 at 11:02 pmThis is my first post (I’ve lurked for a while) and let me just say I freaking love your blog. I’m extremely conscious of nutrition and your emphasis on healthiness vs. calories is so refreshing. Thanks so much for the blog.
P.S. Your statement about the cherry in the oatmeal actually made me laugh out loud. Thanks for clarifying! x)
Ruby Red Vegan
February 7, 2008 at 11:04 pmI want some veggie chili with cornbread too! What a great idea! Normally the idea of chili is boring to me, but crumblies of cornbread sound exciting.
And this is going to sound so hippie, but I really like the Nature’s Path Hemp Plus Granola. I’m studying to be an RD and have never read any FDA research on hemp, but it’s supposed to be a great source of omega-3s. Either way, it’s tasty!
Christie
February 7, 2008 at 11:25 pmKelly T,
Do you have somewhere i can contact you, I have my undergrad in exercise science and I have some thing i would like to get your opinion on. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Christie
Anna
February 7, 2008 at 11:34 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! I really miss so many of those people, as I’m sure do you 🙂
AshleyH
February 7, 2008 at 11:37 pmJenna- I was wondering if you found that the flax kept you full like it did yesterday? You didnt mention and I was just curious. Thanks!
Kelly T
February 8, 2008 at 12:24 amok guys, i started a fitness blog, come check it out!
youbetterbelievefit.wordpress.com
Krista
February 8, 2008 at 12:34 amHi Jenna,
I really want to make your olive oil cake and was wondering if there is a way to store it so that it lasts for a few days….did you give the rest away?? I know cake is harder than other sweets to store but just wondering how you went about it~ Thanks so much!!
Lisa
February 8, 2008 at 12:36 ammmm…that chili just looks so yummy!!! I think I need to make some this weekend for my sweatheart and I!
Nicole
February 8, 2008 at 12:53 amJenna—
In response to your earlier question: I take the Women’s Multi from Trader Joe’s and i LOVE it. Multis usually make me really sick, and I could never take them, but this one is wonderful. It actually is marketed as being safe on your stomach, which is why I picked it. They also include all the green “superfoods” and phytochemicals. Great mix of vitamins & minerals and it contains a good/normal amount of each. I’m a medical student actually, so it always makes me laugh when vitamins contain FAR more than the amount anyone would ever need—but this vitamin impressed me because the breakdown of each ingredient is reasonable. Plus there are no fillers like you’d find in most drug store brands, and is totally vegetarian (actually, I think its vegan), which is nice. Highly recommend it if you’ve got a Trader Joe’s nearby.
Hope that helps!
Nicole
VeggieGirl
February 8, 2008 at 1:18 amHaha, you’re starting to be like me, with your meals – I’m rather monotonous throughout the week (i.e. I like to eat the same things a few days in a row). The vegetable chili and trail mix look quite delicious; as does the kiwi!!
Have a wonderful Thursday night!!
Michelle
February 8, 2008 at 1:29 amJenna, I want to make the olive oil cake as Valentine Gifts for the ladies I work for, is there any way to make them into smaller cakes? Just wondering if it would change the cooking time, temp etc. Thanks for any advice! M
Annie
February 8, 2008 at 1:53 amHi Jenna, I remember a while ago you mentioned a book you were reading, a memoir about the holocaust. I was just wondering if you remembered the name of it, I love memoirs and am looking for a really good book to read.
Thanks!
Christie
February 8, 2008 at 2:26 amSince V-day is coming up,,, anybody have any healthy dinner/desserts good for a menu?
Christie
February 8, 2008 at 2:29 amKelly can you please send me an email so i can ask you something leeluv831@aol.com
HealthyMom
February 8, 2008 at 3:03 amHi Jenna,
I tried your cornbread recipe today. At first I wasn’t so sure about it, but I really do like it. Even the kids enjoyed a slice. Thanks for the recipe and inspiration…I never used whole wheat flour or organic cornmeal before.
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 3:15 amHey Jenna! I really just like the plain old one a day vitamin’s ! I’ve been taking them for years and always eat something right before so I’ve never had an upset stomach! Also, I know you haven’t been eating meet for a few days..did you decide to go back to vegetarianism or just going through a “stage”?- which happens to me sometimes! I think there are good things about both being a carnivore and a vegetarian- I for one do not eat red meat- I absolutely hate the taste!! always have! – but I eat a lot of ckicken, fish-esp tuna and salmon, and turkey. I also eat a lot of meat free meals like veggie burgers, eggs, pb and j – but I could never be a vegetarian 1. bc I like meat most of the time 2. B/c I am getting married next aug (09) and my bf loves loves meat at most every meal. How would you deal with this issue when living with Ryan in the future? I would hate to cook two seperate dinners and i know my bf would never convert. Just wanting your imput! I for one will keep eating some meat but to each her own!!
Veggie girl! hey!! have you always been a vegan or is it something you started in the last few years? do you ever feel like you are missing out on certain foods? I would think it would be very difficult to have meal options when eating at a family member’s house or at a friends. have you seen any changes in your body/mind since becomming a vegan? Just wondering bc I do not have a lot of knowledge about vegetarianism or veganism! thanks for all the imput in the blog. You all are awesome!
Mel H
Courtney
February 8, 2008 at 3:26 amyum, love the cornbread and chili combo! i’m a hostess too, and it’s so hard to snack while working..especially on busy weekend nights! AHH!
Scott @ One Food Guy
February 8, 2008 at 3:39 amLove the alligator place mat!
mags
February 8, 2008 at 3:48 amthis is really for anyone out there, but do any of you have a healthy/easy/quick butternut squash soup recipe that i can freeze the leftovers? thanks!
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 3:58 amhey guys! sorry to post again but I want to order some GNU bars but before I do what flavors do you all like ? I was thinking either the pb, the cinn. raisin, or the banana and walnut but I have no idea! haha! thanks
JenP
February 8, 2008 at 3:59 amAimee,
I believe she mentioned Those Who Save Us, by Jenna Blum
Erica
February 8, 2008 at 4:09 amMel H –
I am in LOVE with the banana walnut, i’d go with that one! But the cinnamon raisin are also great. I haven’t been able to find the pb ones yet unfortunately.
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 4:39 amthanks Erica!! I’ll try the banana walnut ones first!! Have a great night
Mel
Lauren T.
February 8, 2008 at 4:42 amWelp, I’m officially a flax-believer now. I can’t believe it took so long for me to realize that fat is OK! I’m making an effort to add healthy fats to every meal now. Thanks!!
jenna
February 8, 2008 at 12:23 pmKatharine,
On CIB–Yes, I have had them in the past but I wouldn’t buy them again because well it sort of leaves a weird metallic taste in your mouth. Or maybe that’s just me. Or maybe thats just the sugar-free kind…I’m not sure but whatever it is, it wasn’t that great. I dont think that should count as a vitamin because there are artificial ingredients in CIB (no sugar added) that aren’t the best for your body. I would instead just take a regular vitamin!
Ruby Red Vegan,
I Love anything hippie!!! (except smoking pot) haha 🙂
Anna,
small world!! I miss workshops SO much and would love to go back for my MFA someday…that is once I pay back all the student loans I have out right now for culinary school! I miss Charleston SO much….ah, 5 Loaves, the cute little Starbucks on calhoun street, papa zuzus…the list goes on.
AshleyH,
I ate breakfast about an hour earlier yesterday than I did the day before and I had a strength training workout…so I ended up eating a banana mid-morning. It DID keep me fuller than usual though and gave me lots of strength and power during my workout! kudos to flax!!!!
Krista,
I keep the whole cake in the fridge…lasts about 6 days or so!!!
Michelle,
That’s an interesting idea! You would need mini cake pans though! I would bake them for about 30 minutes and check…I dont use a “set” time for this cake..I just check and when its golden brown on top and separating from the sides of the cake pan its done.
For festivity to the cake for V-day I would dust it with powdered sugar and put rose petals around the sides of it. It’s a very simple cake, but that is its beauty!
Mel H,
You are very perceptive 🙂 No announcements yet but there might be some plans in the works………..
I didn’t know you were engaged–how exciting!! Was this a recent occurance?!
Jennifer
February 8, 2008 at 1:05 pmJenna- I noticed that your kiwi still had the skin on– can you eat it that way? I’ve always peeled it off or eaten the fruit out of the middle with a spoon, but would love to avoid that extra work if the skin is edible (and probably full of fiber?) Anyone know? Thanks!
VeggieGirl
February 8, 2008 at 1:41 pm**Jennifer:
you CAN eat the skin on the kiwi – just be sure to cut off the ends (since that’s the “rind,” like orange-rinds).
jenna
February 8, 2008 at 1:48 pmI love the kiwi skin! Makes me feel like I’m getting more fiber in…
Trina
February 8, 2008 at 2:43 pmMel H,
Just wanted to chime in on the whole meat eating thing…My husband absolutely HAS to have meat at every single meal..I am not a vegetarian by any means, but I also don’ t feel the need to eat meat ALL the time.
So, what I do, is make certain dishes like a pasta with lots of veggies and a little bit of meat, and then I just make sure the meat is added to his dish and I just eat the pasta and veggies. It actually is pretty easy to make it work in a lot of different recipes!
choco9
February 8, 2008 at 2:58 pmHad to comment on the GNU bars. I eat them religiously and have tried the peanut butter… do not go there. They are awful. All the others are good but the orange cranberry kind are my least fave. I will not ingest the PB ones again… bad, bad, bad.
Mel H
February 8, 2008 at 3:20 pmthanks Trina! I feel the same way. I want to please my bf, but also myself since I’m the one cooking! haha!
Paula
February 8, 2008 at 5:00 pmChoco9,
I totally agree with you about the orange cranberry being under-whelming. I love the banana walnut and the cinnamon raisin, though.
Have you tried the Chocolate Brownie GNU bar? I haven’t and I want to, but if you didn’t like it either, I won’t waste my money.
Thanks!
Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!