Breakfast/ Lunch

New Woman

Oh.my.goodness. I am a total and complete new person today!

It must either have been all those sweet comments yall wished me to sleep last night or the melatonin 3 I took, but I PASSED OUT at 8:15 and slept like a complete and solid log until my alarm buzzed at 3:15. I know its not 8 hours, but it was waaaaay more than I had been getting all week. I honestly don’t think I’ll be getting 8 hours anymore with my new job…..I know it’s “bad”, but I’m hoping to train my body to function on only 6 or 7. Today I was full of energy and felt great! It was wonderful.

I’m so happy to say that I really looooove my job! All week I was sort of in an exhausted daze, but today everything seemed so much more clear. I love providing people with something that will make them so happy—there’s nothing like fresh bread. I like to picture wives going home with my bread and surprising their husbands with a special dinner….or today a little boy and his dad came really early for breakfast (probably before he had to be at school) and they each got one of the hot cinnamon nut rolls that I had just pulled out of the oven. The boy was in bliss. Its really fun to be so totally “behind the scenes”, and by the time most normal people are just waking up and starting their day, I’ve already baked 30 loaves of bread. And, most of all, I REALLY love that I’m totally done with my workday just when people are starting to take their lunch break.

On my way to work I had a cup of hot water with lemon (this wakes me up more than coffee actually!!) and ate half this larabar and then ate the other half around 5:30. I had never tried this kind and LOVED it!
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And for my breakfast break at 7:45, I packed the same thing as yesterday—plus an orange. 1/2 cup of oat bran with 1 cup skim milk, pumpkin seed butter, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and brown sugar.

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It’s funny because I’m the only one usually taking my “lunch break” at 7:30. The guys in the offices near the break room have gotten into the routine of asking me “what’s in my oatmeal today?!” and think its funny that I have this whole little breakfast set out for myself including a cup of tea and my book to read.

My mom and my aunt, who had just flown in from Milwaukee, came to visit me at work today and my mom bought some of the Italian bread that I baked as well as homemade pita chips (we make the pitas homemade and then for two hours today I sliced them and drizzled them with olive oil, salt and pepper). They got to see me all my hair net glory. Here’s a picture just taken about 10 minutes ago with my bread-

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And yes, I wear all white. I never understood why chefs were all white uniforms because all we (or actually I) do is get messy.

After I got off work, I met them at a cute little restaurant/European cafe around the corner for lunch. I had their specialty—-pizza with goat cheeses, sundried tomatoes and summer squash:

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Their pizza is so special because its really not like pizza at all! Its more like a thin cracker with toppings-–there’s no tomato sauce or real “crust”, so eating two slices of this actually felt like a light lunch compared to the thick, doughy pizza I usually eat! haha 🙂

When we got home, my aunt brought la piece de la resistance———-CANDY RAISINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(don’t gag until I explain)

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My goodness, how I adore these. The only bad thing is that you CAN ONLY BUY THEM IN MILWAUKEE!!!!!!! 🙁 They don’t taste like raisins AT ALL but more like perfume??! I can’t explain, but all I know is that they are sort of an acquired taste…..you have to grow up eating them. My mom is from milwaukee and my whole family lives there so every time we would go visit when I was growing up, I would eat these. They are my absolute favorite sweet EVER! I like to keep them in the fridge and then eat two or three after my meals. 😉 I just had a tiny handful right now actually!

Oh, and please sign the petition to keep them around because apparently they might become discontinued in the future! The horror!

I’m about to do some yoga and then probably lay down for a little while because since I don’t work again until Monday, I’m going to need to stay up later than 8:00. Hehe. My mom is making one of my favorite dinners tonight and Ryan is coming over to enjoy it with us and meet my aunt. Its only 50 degrees out and she is LOVING it because today in milwaukee, it was 30 below and the schools were closed (she’s a 7th grade teacher)! I can’t even imagine. It feels like the arctic to me outside and its only 50.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Thursday so far—–its the start to my long weekend so I’m lovin’ it. See you tonight!

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  • Stephanie
    January 15, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Um, yeah…. all you Florida “healthy-living” bloggers don’t know how nice you have it! It’s MUCH harder to be motivated when the high is 8 degrees 🙁

  • Emily
    January 15, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    I’m so glad to hear that you like your new job and that you got a good night’s sleep last night! Sometimes that makes all the difference. Your bread looks great! 🙂

  • fitforfree
    January 15, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    “candy raisins (crack)” hahaha

    so glad you love your job!! it’s always nice to hear someone say that!

  • Victoria
    January 15, 2009 at 1:20 pm

    I’m so glad to hear you LOVE your job! And yes it “feels like” -25 here today. Enjoy your 50 degrees to the fullest!

  • brandi
    January 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Glad you love the new job! i think it sounds great, even with the early morning – I would love to be done working at lunch time 🙂

  • Sara
    January 15, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Jenna, I thought of you this morning…well, middle of the night for me. I looked at the clock around 3:15 a.m. (I was STILL awake), and thought, “Oh, Jenna will be getting up right about now.” Glad you’re feeling better today!

  • Rachel
    January 15, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    So glad to hear you’re feeling better and refreshed! Sleep makes such a huge difference. I just recently started focusing on getting more sleep as a contributor to achieving my fitness & heath goals instead of just because I’m “supposed” to and it’s changed my whole mindset. Not to say that it’s easy… it never is!

    Love hearing about the bread, as always. yum yum

  • ashley (sweet & natural)
    January 15, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Yay sleep! Yay for a fun job! I LOVE your pizza. Sounds like a dream. 🙂

  • Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
    January 15, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    Congrats on your schedule adjustment, and I’m so jealous of your 4-day weekend!

  • Lisa
    January 15, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    They sound like Wine Gums…they have that “perfume” flavor too!

  • Johanna B
    January 15, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    I want that loaf of bread. It’s 2 degrees farenheit here right now (Kansas). Enjoy your graduation. I’ll be thinking about you.

  • Jenna 2
    January 15, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Your job sounds so wonderful!!

  • The Running Yogini
    January 15, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    Yay for a good night of sleep! I also take Melatonin sometimes. I get anxious if it starts getting late and I’m not asleep yet, so I keep it by my nightstand along with a bottle of water, if needed. Sometimes even though I’m exhausted I still can’t fall asleep. I think my body must have a shortage of melatonin, b/c it does the trick perfectly for me. I’ve been using it for about 8 months, sometimes a few times a week and sometimes I don’t need it for much longer. Happy Graduation 🙂

  • Lindsey (Mrs. LC)
    January 15, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    Hooray for your job! That is truly so wonderful (and inspiring to me) that you really love your job. 🙂 Have a fun long weekend!

  • Hilary
    January 15, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    So glad to hear that you slept well last night and are loving your job!! Life is good!

  • Shelby
    January 15, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    I’m so glad you like your job! It seems like such a perfect fit for you Jenna! And hell yes for sleep =)

    I never got why chef’s wore white either!

  • HangryPants
    January 15, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Because I am a fan of all foods that are uniquely local, I signed the petition!

    I love crispy pizza like that. Yum. 😀

  • Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
    January 15, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    So glad you got some sleep and that you’re loving your new job. Have fun with your aunt, and I can’t wait to hear all about graduations. Candy Raisins? Never heard of those. Interesting.

  • liz
    January 15, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Yup. I feel you aunt on that. I live in Minneapolis and it was -20 coming in to work. And that’s just the air temp. Plus wind chill it felt like -35. Cold, cold, cold. I think that’s why there’s hot tea in life 🙂

  • Becca A
    January 15, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    I’m so glad you are loving your job (not that I doubted you would). Your loaf of bread looks beautiful. I agree on the chefs wearing white thing. Five minutes into my day with food and I have something on me. I just look at chocolate and am covered in it :). I’m hoping after school maybe I will keep myself somewhat tidy.

  • Sarah
    January 15, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Jenna – I recently started reading your blog and I really enjoy it. Happy to hear that you are enjoying your new job!

    I think I read that chefs wear white because they are able to bleach their clothes b/c they get so dirty. Any other colour they wouldn’t be able to bleach and if they did they would be ruined?

  • sweet and fit
    January 15, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    you are so sweet! Its such a priceless thing to see how you can brighten someone’s day with some amazing fresh bread, pastry, etc.

  • bobbie
    January 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    I have to comment on the candy raisins! I grew up near Milwaukee and my friend’s mom always had them. We thought they tasted like perfume too – very odd. But we loved them anyway. My favorite Stark (Necco) candies are the wafers though – especially the chocolate ones. Yum!

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy)
    January 15, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    I have never heard of candy raisins, but usually I try to avoid foods that taste like perfume. If I ever come across one, though, I’ll try it!

    Speaking of trying things, looks like that melatonin might make its way onto my list too!

    So glad you are enjoying the job. You can tell by the pic that you care about what you are doing =)

  • Ashley
    January 15, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    so glad you got a good nights rest! I hope you have a great few days off! the bread looks delicious 🙂

  • Julie
    January 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Yay! I’m so happy for you that you slept well! Lord knows you needed it.

    50 degrees sounds like heaven right now.

  • Allison K.
    January 15, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    That pizza looks amazing!

  • Sammie
    January 15, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    I tried the warm water with a slice of fresh lemon this morning at 4:30 and it totally woke me up. I NEVER have caffeine that early so it was nice to feel the perk. Thanks for all your little tid bits of advice – they really seem to help me out.
    It is SOOOOO cold here today – I think the high was going to be 17 degrees. Tomorrow they are saying 12 degrees – yikes.
    Have a great evening.

  • Moran
    January 15, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    Jenna its so good to hear the sleep is finally coming around hahaha!
    Enjoy the rest of the day!

  • Marissa
    January 15, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Yummy pizza! Glad you slept well!

  • Alyssa
    January 15, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Yay for sleeping better! Just takes some adjustment 😛 I know it’s cold, but enjoy the FL weather! I’m jealous, our high right not is -7! Have a good relaxing evening!

  • VeggieGirl
    January 15, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Love your enthusiasm, girl – you make my days that much better!! 😀

  • Colleen
    January 15, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Ooooo, candy anything is good to me! LOL about the (crack) part!

    I love those Lara Bars too, I just tried one for the first time last week – they are in my top 3 favorite. 🙂

  • Julie
    January 15, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Yeah, the high for today here in Madison, WI (an hour and a half from Milwaukee) is -4. I second that – the FL girls don’t know how hard it is to train for a triathlon indoors! 🙂 Totally different ball game. I love your pizza, Jenna – I haven’t seen a place like that here – wish there was! have a good one – tell your aunt she’s lucky to be in Florida!! I’m jealous!

  • kristi
    January 15, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    I’m so glad to hear your new job is going well! I don’t know if I could get adjusted to waking up at 3 in the morning though…that is impressive!

  • Beadie
    January 15, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Hoooray for get a nice amount of sleep! I am glad you are enjoying your new job!

  • Mara
    January 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    YAY for loving your job!!
    That pizza looks amazing!

  • Melissa
    January 15, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    OMG, I totally relate to your post!!! First of all, I live in central Wisconsin and my manager just introduced me to candy raisins!!! They sell them at Fleet Farm – go figure 🙂
    And yes, sadly because I’m in WI I too am getting the nasty cold and every single school is closed!!! 🙁

  • Alexia
    January 15, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    Glad you had a better day today!

    Those candy raisins look like JuJu Bees! I love those!

  • K
    January 15, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    I love hearing how much you enjoy your job – in today’s world there’s so many people who are working just to work and make money but when I read about your experience I can tell that you genuinely enjoy it! That’s fantastic 🙂

    YUM to that pizza!!

  • Sarah (now in FL)
    January 15, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Hey Jenna, what was that restaurant?! It looks amazing!!! I want to go!

    • jenna
      January 15, 2009 at 7:25 pm

      Sarah,

      Pane Rustica! I will meet u there for lunch any time! 🙂

  • Mel
    January 15, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Oh my gosh, candy raisins are the BEST! I grew up a couple blocks from that factory and you could always tell when they were making them because the air smelled AMAZING! Seriously, if you want some just shoot me an email and I will totally send you some! I really hope that they don’t discontinue you them, that would make me super sad!

  • Sheryl
    January 15, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    I’ve never heard of Candy Raisins but your perfume taste description reminded me of Violets, a white chalky candy in squares that ALSO tastes like perfume. Also, I have a different daily-read book by Melody Beattie and agree with you about her meaningful daily entries. A teacher once suggested her memoir…and said she once had quite a horrible life. Congrats on graduation and the new job!

  • tracy
    January 15, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Tracy from near Milwaukee again. Still FREEZING here. Glad your relatives can enjoy some warmth down by you. Candy raisins are my favorite and something my dad and I have shared every holiday, birthday, special occasion forever! I can’t believe someone else likes them. And they do taste like perfume! Enjoy.

  • Greta
    January 15, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    My mom’s entire family is from Milwaukee too! I spent my summers as a kid eating summer sausage and cheese curds out on Lake Michigan. I miss those days!

  • Katie
    January 15, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    That’s St. Louis style pizza right there! 🙂

  • Lola Marie
    January 16, 2009 at 12:14 am

    Those candies are really good – I had never heard of them until last week and I went to university in Milwaukee for four and a half years! But I’m from Madison and that’s where I bought them, maybe they only sell them in WI? Buen provecho! 🙂

  • mary
    January 16, 2009 at 8:37 am

    I live in Milwaukee and love candy raisins! It definitely is an acquired taste, but since my family is full of candy junkies we love them. When we heard they were being disccontinued my brother bought a whole bunch of them. The downside is that they are made with partially hydrogenated oil so now I try and avoid them 🙁

  • kristi
    January 18, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    I just want to let you know that I LOVE CANDY RAISINS! They are the best! I didn’t know until recently how spoiled I was because I live in Wisconsin and can find them everywhere!