Breakfast/ Lunch

Made My Day

Hey guys!

Normally I wait until the end of my post to tell you about my mid-afternoon snack but I am just way too happy and excited about it that I must share now! First of all, I just COULDN’T wait. I HAD to stop and buy more nut butter today after work!!!!!!!! It’s a total addiction, I swear. But look at what I found!!!!!!!!!!!

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I did a happy dance in Publix, that’s for sure. And I totally broke it open on my way home and swiped at it with my fingers. Holy goodness, this stuff is flippin’ a-m-a-z-i-n-g! No doubt about it, I could have eaten the entire jar on the 5 minute drive home. It’s so rich and creamy! I tried to control myself until I got home and made a snack….the snack to end all snacks….the snack of heaven……………

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A toasted Arnold’s Sandwich Thin (I was DYING for carbs today!) with who knows how much of this love in a jar and topped with half a sliced banana. Every bite was amazing. I could eat this stuff at every meal and I just might. Actually, it probably will be incredibly dangerous for me to have in the house because I’m sensing some late night cravings ahead…………

But anyways! Back to the start of this Tuesday!

This morning I had another fab. breakfast cookie around 6:15 am:

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I ate it while going through some bloggies on my google reader and DANG, these cookies have blown up on blogworld!!!!! Gina, you better patent this recipe!!! This cookie was the usual 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 scoop chocolate protein power, 2 tbsp silk and a big spoonful almond butter——-how amazing would this cookie be with chocolate peanut butter???!!!! πŸ˜‰

Then, around 9:15 I snacked on a cashew larabar:

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And drank my favorite orange juice on the planet! It was practically bottled in my backyard growing up…love it!

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I also sipped on another delish Tazo Passion tea with honey while I worked….

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For lunch today I had my new favorite, a baked sweet potato with a half cup of whipped cottage cheese

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Another honeycrisp apple

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And, lastly, a macaroon for dessert:

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And, well, you already know what my afternoon snack was! I’ve been starving all day long and in a very snacky mood. I think its all the burning I did in BodyPump last night that has caught up with me. Tonight I’m going to a 6 pm freestyle spin class and even though I feel quite pooped right now, I know I’ll feel better after I go.

Today at work I did random monotonous jobs to continue prepping for Thanksgiving. I baked more rolls, made bagels and, all afternoon, peeled and cored 80 apples to make apple pie filling.

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UGH it took forever but made enough filling for about 15-20 pies. I vowed never to eat another apple again….but then I broke out my honeycrisp πŸ™‚

Here’s a peak at lots of turkey day goodies!

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I’ve gotta run and get two loads of laundry done before I head to the gym. I’m trying to get everything organized and packed up so I won’t feel as stressed out in the next 48 hours!

See you for dinner!

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  • brandi
    November 25, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    That pb is the best! I love it πŸ™‚

    they make a few other flavors, too. A white chocolate, cinnamon raisin, etc.

  • BethT
    November 25, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    I love that brand of PB. They also have a cinnamon raisin flavor that is great!

    Jenna, what are your thoughts on cake flour? I am making some red velvet cupcakes and the recipe calls for cake flour….of course I don’t have any. I read online you can add cornstarch to regular flour to emulate cake flour…any thoughts on this?

  • Laura
    November 25, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    I’ve made one of Gina’s cookies with chocolate peanut butter. It was amazing! I’m surprised I haven’t totally lost control with my jar and finished off the whole thing. πŸ™‚

    I love that flavor larabar!

  • Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
    November 25, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    I need to try that peanut butter!

    Mmmm, I love apple pie!

  • V
    November 25, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    PB & Company is AMAZINGβ€”it’s a restaurant here in NYC… my favorite is the “pb sampler” where you get a plate of carrots, apples, celery, and crackers with a sample of each of their peanut buttersβ€”SO AMAZING! I second the other commentorsβ€”the cinnamon raisin and white chocolate flavors are to die for πŸ™‚

  • Victoria
    November 25, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    That looks like a FANTASTIC snack!!!
    It seems like lately you’ve increased your exercise…. do you find you are hungrier than normal?

    Also, when you started to do more weight lifting do you think that the scale was showing up some muscle gain? I always get confused with the relation of muscle building and how it shows up on the scale. Sometimes I get frustrated because I feel like I want to stop lifting weights so that the number will dip back down on the scale but I know how much weight lifting is good for our bodies! Any advice?

  • jenna
    November 25, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Beth,

    Cake flour just has a much lower protein content that AP or high gluten flour so it lends more a light and delicate texture. Honestly…I wouldn’t worry about it unless you are using these cupcakes to compete in some cool culinary extravaganza. If it were me, I would just go ahead and use all purpose flour. Sometimes we run out of cake flour at work we just use good ol’ AP and nothing tragic has happened yet….I have not heard about adding cornstarch!

  • Michelle
    November 25, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Dark Chocolate Dreams = YUMMY!!!!! I love PB & Co.!

  • ashley (sweet & natural)
    November 25, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    I just finished off my jar of Dark Chocolate Dreams! Now you have me wanting it again…

  • Shelby
    November 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    I always see that PB at target but never get it because I’m weary about fats but now your starting to convince me…it looks amazing!!!

    Yay for Larabars, Sweet Potatoes, and Breakfast Cookies!

  • BridgetP
    November 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Dark Chocolate Dreams PB is so amazing! I have a jar right now and sometimes I just stare in my pantry thinking of things I could spread it on/dip in it. YUM!

  • jenna
    November 25, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    Victoria,

    Because I’ve increased my exercise by adding spinning and bodypump classes, I have found that for me it works best to increase the size of my snacks so I just eat a bunch of “mini-meals” all day long rather than 3 huge meals. I eat about ever 2 1/2-3 hours and that is what works best for me. I never really feel starving because I’m always eating! I also try to eat enough protein in every snack so that it holds me over to the next. I have a pretty fast metabolism and I have found that, for me, constantly fueling my body like this is the only way to go!

    As for the scale question……professionals will tell you hands down that that is NOT what you should go by!!!!! I rarelyyyy weigh myself (maybe every few months or so) and just go by how my jeans fit. Muscle DOES weigh more than fat and the only way to completely assess your body fat level is to have a personal trainer or a doctor do it for you. The scale is often incredibly misleading! For instance, right now I weigh a little more than I have in the past but I know that its muscle because I work out every day and eat right. If I were drinking three glasses of wine every night I would know that that was it but I’m not. I’m a big fan of the “if the jeans fit wear ’em” rule. Don’t beat yourself up over the scale!!!!

  • VeggieGirl
    November 25, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    EVERYTHING IN THIS POST GETS A MAJOR “HOLY YUM” SHOUT-OUT!!!!

  • Sarah
    November 25, 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Jenna, I hear you, I love the Dark Chocolate Dreams! The last time I had a jar, I ate a spoonful a night pretty much. But it’s soooo good. Glad you found it πŸ™‚ You’ve made me want to go get some more, that snack sounds great! I’ve found it’s also good on celery, waffles, in oatmeal, etc. haha.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  • Moran
    November 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    OMG I want this peanut butter!!

  • Cassidy
    November 25, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Oh My Goodness! I saw that yesterday at Target and thought it was made for me. Now I MUST go back and buy it. πŸ™‚

  • Runeatrepeat
    November 25, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    I was so excited when I first found Dark Choc Dreams! I fell in love. Now, I try not to keep it in the house though! I couldn’t stop eating it.

  • Megan
    November 25, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    I love the White Chocolate Wonderful PB- I can’t find the Dark Chocolate Dreams by me πŸ™ I am dying to try it though.
    I ate a cashew cookie Larabar today, too. And for dinner I have been planning on having a sweet potato with cottage cheese, as well! Our eats are similar today, haha.
    Have a good spin class!

  • Oh She Glows
    November 25, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    Wow that pb & chocolate looks amazing.

    And I want to try out the breakfast cookie!!!!! πŸ™‚

    Angela
    http://www.ohsheglows.com

  • Becca A
    November 25, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    I love that brand of pb but I love the cinnamon raisin a bit more than the dark chocolate!

  • Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming)
    November 25, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    woah that’s a lot of apples!
    Glad you finally found your PB! I did a little happy dance too, when I recently found my first jar of Barney Butter. I didn’t really like the Dark Chocolate PB (gasp!) but I did like the cinnamon one.
    I’m sure you lucky Floridians have some super yummy OJ! I can only satisfy my Florida OJ cravings with Florida’s Natural (Very good OJ, btw) I hope you have a kick-ass spin class! πŸ™‚

  • Mara
    November 25, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    That PB&Co chocolate peanut butter is no longer allowed in my house. It’s far too good!

  • BeeElle
    November 25, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    Oh wow…it’s a good thing I’m sure I can’t find that choco PB here…I’d probably eat the whole jar in one sitting….

  • carolinebee
    November 25, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    I bought some PB & Co Mighty Maple when I was in New York, but when I flew out of Boston…the security man made me THROW it out…MAJOR πŸ™ sad day in foodie history.
    Glad u found some though!! Have a fun spin class

  • Tamara
    November 25, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    I’m not posting about the peanut butter, but wow, there are a lot of fans out there! πŸ™‚

    I am posting to ask Jenna or any readers if you have any other sweet potato topping ideas? I’ve tried cottage cheese on a few occasions, and every time I hate it. I don’t get it — there are pretty much no foods I hate, and yuck, I just can’t stand it. I am a huge fan of dairy and cheese in general though — would yogurt or any other types of cheeses be a good sweet potato topping?

  • Cat
    November 25, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Right!?!? That PB flavor is THE BEST! I love it! And your baked sweet potato looks pretty awesome too… it looks like it’s gonna explode πŸ™‚

  • jenna
    November 25, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    carolinebee,

    I know how you feel. When I was on my way home from France the security lady made me throw out my special raspberry preserves….actually I DID start to cry!!!!

  • Jennifer
    November 25, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    I LOVE that pb too!!! Have you tried the others too? White Chocolate pb, Maple pb, Honey pb! πŸ˜€ so good!

  • Amy C.
    November 25, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    I have that PB in my fridge right now. And white chocolate PB…. and chunky pb…. and smooth pb. I think I have a problem! πŸ™‚ Glad you liked it!!!

    Jenna, you are totally inspiring me to take a class at my gym. We have body pump, spinning, yoga, pilates, and zumba. All of which I’d like to try but it’s so hard to go alone. I’ll have to buck up and go though!!

  • Anonymous
    November 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    I have been meaning to thank you for showing what a true healthy outlook on eating is like. You eat really well most of the time and don’t seem to feel horrible after you “cheat” (whatever that really is). I really appreciate it as someone who is recovering from an ED as looking through blogs of TRUE HEALTHY and MINDFUL eaters has definately helped me in my path in recovery . Especially when A LOT of so called “healthy eating” blogs out there actually in fact have un-healthy eating habits (ie: eating too little, excercising too much, etc…).

    Thanks Again and have a happy holiday! =)

  • jenna
    November 25, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    Jennifer,

    This kind and the cinnamon raisin were the only kinds Publix had! I would LOOOOVE to try the white chocolate if I can ever find it!!

  • SmA033
    November 25, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    i hear you w/the peanut butter! I just got White Chocolate Wonderful from Peanut Butter & Co. & it’s AMAZING!! i tried their Mighty Maple, but this is better! I can’t wait to try the Chocolate.
    OH & btw, i tried your cottage cheese-sweet potato combo, LOVEDDDDDDDDD IT!!!!
    About the b-fast cookie, did you add 1/2 a banana??

  • Pumpkin (Chef Erin)
    November 25, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! I’ll be feelin’ your pain- Tomorrow we’re baking a gazillion pies for Thanksgiving pie orders!

  • Kristie
    November 25, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    That is a heck of a lot of apple peeling + coring…yikes.

    I WANT that pb. I’ve tried the white chocolate and the cinnamon raisin but no sighting of the dark chocolate. YET. I hope I can find it soon!

  • bobbi
    November 25, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    oooo that pb looks so yummers!!!!

  • cbland
    November 26, 2008 at 8:03 am

    Oh that chocolate pb looks dangerous! It’s hard enough for me not to dip straight into the jar of regular pb with a spoon and just eat it by itself. I would be in big trouble with the chocolate kind (or cinnamon!).

    Great job motivating yourself to go to the gym! It’s such a mind-game. That post-sweat feeling is the best in the world, but some days just getting there is the problem!

    Have a terriffic and blessed Thanksgiving! Enjoy time with Ryan and your family.

  • Kassie
    November 26, 2008 at 8:53 am

    Hey Jenna! Love the blog…I’ve been following you and Kath for quite a while now πŸ™‚

    I have a quick question: I tried to make the breakfast cookie (used the same measurements as you) but it didn’t harden over night! Any thoughts on what I’m doing wrong?

    Thanks!

  • Kassie
    November 26, 2008 at 12:41 pm

    Hey Jenna! Love the blog!!!

    I tried to make the overnight breakfast cookie (I used the same measurements that you did) but it didn’t harden πŸ™

    Any thoughts on what I could do differently? Thanks!

  • jenna
    November 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Kassie,

    It doesn’t really harden, per say. It just gets a bit firmer. Yours was probably totally normal! You still have to eat it with a spoon πŸ™‚

  • Kassie
    November 26, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    hahahahah good to know! thanks jenna! happy thanksgiving πŸ˜€