Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

Libraries Are For Cool Kids

Hi!

Trying to make myself useful on this cold rainy day. Knocked out a few hours of work this morning with a snack break before I went to workout!

I found an old bag of dried apricots when I was cleaning out/organizing my pantry last weekend. I love dried apricots! They remind me of Paris…there’s this little stand with all these amazing nuts and dried fruits at the farmer’s market on Rue Monge. I used to go and stock up then snack my way through the week :). I also love local goat’s milk cheddar cheese. Twas the perfect pair.

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Today we started our workout by doing lunges around the studio…not sure how many…maybe 70 or so? Enough to feel the burn. Then, we went through a sequence of “monkey jumps” (jumping jacks where you go down in a squat position, touch the ground then leap up), crunches, squats and chatarunga/up dog flows. I think we did this sequence about four or five times and by the end I was drenched in sweat and my shoulders were talking to me.

Raced home to reheat the rest of last night’s veggie burrito! I added a Quorn turkey burger and a heck of a lot of salsa to the mix. This isn’t the prettiest food blogger presentation but hey…I’m trying to conserve dishes!

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My afternoon was spent writing in my new favorite location: THE LIBRARY! Oh, how I adore libraries. And there I’m not tempted to buy fun coffee drinks or books. I can set up camp at a table, pretend I’m in college again and, on my breaks, wander around and read British poetry. Free WiFi, too! And, its only a few blocks from my house…so much better than driving 15 miles to write at Barnes and Noble! I brought a little snackie:

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However, unfortunately when I LEFT the library it was 45 degrees and absolutely pouring. Not cool. I got soaked!!
Dinner epitomizes my food philosophy:
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Even though I do love my fair share of fancy dinners, mostly I just love REAL, SIMPLE food. This risotto with an egg is an old love of mine. Sometimes, life just calls for standing and stirring a pot of risotto for 40 minutes. It clears the brain and is good for the soul. This was incredibly simple—just arborio rice and water with a pinch of salt. And roasted brussels sprouts just make anything better, no?
As do Annie’s bunny cookies.
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Truthfully I wasn’t hungry at all for dessert but its pouring outside and I’m sitting here on my bed surrounded by papers, folders and books and just needed SOMETHING to crunch on. I wish I had a fireplace. Note to self: next house will have garbage disposal, laundry facilities and a fireplace. Sigh.
***
You have until Thursday to enter Caitlin’s raffle for a 305 Garmin Forerunner! Caitlin is also training for the Echelon Gran Fondo in Napa and like me, is raising money to support cancer research.
Fun reading material brought to you by my good friend, Rea! I’ve been cracking up reading some of the posts…hahaha 😉
Stay tuned for another fun giveaway in the morn’!
February 23, 2010 By
47

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  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
    February 23, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    I love the library — free WiFi without having to buy anything! When I travel, I always visit local libraries to take advantage of the Internet. In fact, I’m in Sydney’s big library right now catching up on this back home. 😀

  • Eliza
    February 23, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    so you just make your risotto with water and salt and the arborio rice? no broth or anything??

  • Samantha
    February 23, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    mmmmm those annie’s cookies look so good!! I’ve been wanting to try those for awhile now!

  • Lele
    February 23, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I know EXACTLY what you mean about contemplatively stirring risotto. It’s great.
    I myself had a great simple egg moment today- egg poached in tomato sauce on toast. Smashing!

  • Ameena
    February 23, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I love the library too! Aside from the internet, I love going there just being surrounded by books. So cozy!

    Dinner looks very French and very delicious!

  • Kati @ Living Well
    February 23, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    yay for libraries! i love ours…i mean come on, FREE BOOKS!!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    February 23, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    I’ve been eating sticks of cheese like that recently. Such a great portable snack. I love ’em with apple slices. I’m not a library gal but sometimes I MUST go or I will do anything but study i.e. clean my room, cook, bake, etc.

  • Jules @ EatDrinkLiveLearn
    February 23, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    I agree–roasted brussels do make everything better!

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City)
    February 23, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    Libraries are really a great place to escape too. Coffee shops can get to noise at times to enable me to hear my own thoughts.

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    February 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    I’ve been eating sticks of cheese like that recently. Such a great portable snack. I love ’em with apple slices. I’m not a library gal but sometimes I MUST go or I will do anything but study i.e. clean my room, cook, bake, etc.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
    February 23, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    I love the runny egg on that risotto – I want to eat it right now! Have you tried savoury oats? I am scared, but that is kind of what your risotto reminds me of.

  • Stef
    February 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    i LOVE libraries, even how they smell. never had goat cheddar before, actually never had goat cheese at all! what kind of blogger am i?

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    February 23, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    I love libraries because they’re so great for getting work done. But I much prefer B&N. I think it has something to do with the Starbucks in there…and the smell of new books.

  • Sam
    February 23, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    I eat dried apricots and Annie’s bunnies everyday, no joke.

  • amanda
    February 23, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    I use the hell out of my school’s online library, does that count? 😉

  • Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
    February 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    Those leftovers look great!!

  • Jamie @ Tearaveler
    February 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    Oh I miss the library! I feel like I got so much more accomplished there and always was able to focus… coffee shops just have too much going on! =) and ours had a coffee shop so if you absolutely need caffein it was there.

  • Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
    February 23, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Apricots are one of my favorite snacks! I sometimes like to stuff them with whole almonds or eat them in conjunction with yogurt covered pretzels! That looks like such a cozy dinner! I love your mentality!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    February 23, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    Our local library is in the old mayors mansion so it is so fun to sit and read or to explore the old stairwells. Libraries are definitely for cool kids!

  • Tara
    February 23, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Eggs over easy for dinner? YES YES YES

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
    February 23, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Simple food is my favorite. Being a college student, I live life on the simple side =] Sounds like you had a peaceful day…minus the 1 million squats. Take care!

  • Shelley
    February 23, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    I love love love stirring. I have to watch myself and remember to ask before I stir things on the stove that aren’t mine! Your simple dinner looks divine, especially on a cold evening. We always did squats around the pool deck in college. I loved/hated/loved them!!

  • Allie
    February 23, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    jenna- you make such simple words so colorful and lively. i love reading your posts! great meals.

  • Karla
    February 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    I love libraries! They’re so conducive to concentration! I feel like they’re underused sometimes, which is a shame!

  • Ally (Exercise and Pies)
    February 23, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    I used to be obsessed with those bunnie cookies… I love the tie died box they come it :p

  • Sarah
    February 23, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    Oh I do hope you didn’t microwave leftovers in the styrofoam takeout container! Forget saving dishes in this case, it’s a matter of your health and safety.

  • Sharon
    February 23, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    Wow your dinner looks amazing! I wish that’s what i’d had..

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog)
    February 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    What a great looking dinner – I love the simplicity of it – yet I bet the flavour was awesome too!

  • ellen eats beets
    February 23, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    Risotto and eggs are both great, but I cant say I even thought of putting them together. Sounds lovely. I may be the biggest dork, but I’ve always loved the library. It’s so peaceful, I always get my best work done there.

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com
    February 24, 2010 at 12:20 am

    Bunny cookies!! I’ve never seen them before, they look ADORABLE!!
    I really enjoy libraries too – so quiet and peaceful, you can get so much done 🙂
    Enjoy your evening!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    February 25, 2010 at 8:28 am

    I love a good library! Were you at CofC when the old one was still the main one? It was so cozy and small– I loved it! The new one was much nicer, but too BIG!

    Have a great day, Jenna!

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit
    February 25, 2010 at 8:30 am

    Now that I’ve been working from home for nearly 3 months I am finding my most favorite places in the city to do work. The library is definitely a top fav! Though sometimes I do love the coffee shop/cafe simply to be surrounded by so many different people. 🙂

  • Shannon, Tropical Eats
    February 25, 2010 at 8:30 am

    the coffee shops inside libraries always get me! gotta love them though 🙂

  • eatmovelove
    February 25, 2010 at 8:32 am

    I adore dried apricots and fruits in any manner. Cheese is good in any format.
    I hear ya on the dishes – I pretty much have only 2 that I put on rotation ;)….I haven’t been able to get onto your server for ages….sucks…

    Jenna – with your book – did it take you a long time/ a process to be accepted by a company. Did you have a agent?? Did you change your “idea” loads of times?

    Not that I’m even there yet, or even have anything written….or even know if that’s what I want to do or meant to do ….bah – I confuse my self…so much 🙁

  • Kristina @MendonPondMusings
    February 25, 2010 at 8:41 am

    That work out sounds intense – some reason I can do regular pushups without a problem but I can’t seem to do a reverse chatarunga for the life of me…

  • Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life
    February 25, 2010 at 8:52 am

    I swear my next apartment will have laundry too!! It is soo annoying having to lug everything to the mat.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    February 25, 2010 at 9:01 am

    oooooooh, the egg brussels sprout combo sounds so good! definitely a must try…and libraries ARE for cool kids 😉

  • Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
    February 25, 2010 at 9:08 am

    Glad the blog is back in action!

    Your risotto egg dish looks outstanding. As does your veggie burrito, styrofoam tray aside! I’m all for convserving dishes too. It saves water and effort. Win/win.

    The library is a sanctuary for sure. I love the Bryant Park library (The one featured in Ghostbusters), although that place is more like a museum than a study haven.

  • Jil
    February 25, 2010 at 9:28 am

    MMm your eats look amazing!! Glad that everything got figured out and you’re backkkk!!!

  • Kristilyn (My 29th Year)
    February 25, 2010 at 9:34 am

    I love your meals today! The yolky egg looks absolutely delicious. 🙂

    K

  • Liz C
    February 25, 2010 at 9:36 am

    Did you realize your site was down for the better part of yesterday?

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    February 25, 2010 at 9:44 am

    So glad the bloggie is back up!!!
    The egg on the risotto sounds INCREDIBLE. Simple food is simply the best. Haha

  • Rosey Rebecca
    February 25, 2010 at 9:52 am

    I love the library. My mom has worked at one since I was little, which means I never have due dates. Sorry to brag but it is pretty awesome, dontcha think?

  • Gina
    February 25, 2010 at 11:25 am

    Add me to the list of people who never thought to combine the egg with the risotto – genius!

  • Pam (@ TotalHealthCounseling)
    February 25, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Your risotto with runny eggs and brussel sprouts looks so awesome! I love simple, whole food meals.

  • Daisy
    February 25, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    I share your love for brussels sprouts. they DO make anything better. I just made some the other night as well!

  • Lori
    February 25, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Thanks for the library shout-out! I am a librarian and we love library-lovers!