Whew! Finally Saturday! I have a very short weekend this week…I have to be at work all day tomorrow—so I’m headed for a quick trip home today and tonight to hang out with the boyfriend, meet a blog reader for coffee (!!!) and have dinner with my family. I wanted to tell you all that the Think Organic bars were great! I LOVED the chocolate coconut one I had last night at work—it really kept me going! That is, until my manager got me and a couple servers a chocolate souflee to split! I had two huge bites of souflee and vanilla ice cream in the back! So worth it!
For breakfast this morning I had my old standby classic. Peanut butter on a wheat english muffin with banana and yogurt and an espresso. This is the exact breakfast (well minus the plain yogurt) that I ate EVERY single morning my senior year of college. I was addicted to it! I’m not sure why! I’m not kidding either…I ate this every single morning…I was so boring! I would have a bowl of oatmeal maybe once a month! It’s pretty good though and quite filling and healthy. I finally got around to buying more pb at the store so I’m quite happy about that! About the store…I’m SO sorry I forgot to take a photo…if you look at my lunch post yesterday I wrote in the comment section about what I bought though. It’s pretty boring…I’m really trying to save money…sigh.
Anyways, I’m off to tampa now–going to a 10:00 Power Yoga class then meeting Ryan for lunch (probably at Quiznos because we have a coupon for 2 for 1…see? told you we are in the money saving mood!).
Enjoy your Saturday!
About 465 calories.
Clarissa
February 2, 2008 at 1:05 pmEnjoy your day!! Is that a Thomas’ WW english muffin, and FAGE yogurt??
Marnie
February 2, 2008 at 1:14 pmIs the lunge work in yoga- muscle building or more muscle stretching? I would rather do yoga for leg work than weight machines, but am afraid if I switch, my muscles will atrophy. How long is a power yoga class?
Quizno’s is one of my fav. fast food places (and I don’t like fast food!). Enjoy lunch 🙂
Marnie
February 2, 2008 at 1:15 pmsorry, that might have not been clear. Currently I do leg presses machines etc., so I would be switching to yoga (I am not a runner though, just light walking)
Kelly
February 2, 2008 at 1:29 pmHelp. My peanut butter is hard…
Okay, did that catch anyone’s attention? 🙂 See, I have been making peanut butter sandwiches for lunch using natural peanut butter (peanuts and salt only on the ingredients). The jar says to refrigerate after opening and stiring. Well, now when I want PB it’ so hard! Anyone else have this problem? I have been measuring out two 2 tbsp so that i can see how much that is (and it’s not much) and this makes it so difficult to do that.
Any suggestions or am I just doomed to hard PB? Have a great Saturday everyone.
Kelly
February 2, 2008 at 1:32 pmOh yea, Jenna, do you measure out your PB? If so how much do you typically use on a sandwich? I use Orowheat Double Fiber Whole Wheat Bread and the slices are pretty big so it really takes 2 tbsp to do anything. Still, it’s not even like the PB sandwiches I make for my husband (LOTS OF PB). I’d like to eventually eye ball my PB just because I don’t want to get in the habit of measuring things. Just looking for your thought on this!
Kay
February 2, 2008 at 2:07 pmKelly,
The oil in natural PB comes to the top (like when you get it from the store). Even after you stir it the first time after openning, if you don’t stir it once in a while you will continue to use more of the oils at the beginning and then once you are half way down the jar the the PB starts to get hard because it starts to get dry. At least that is what I figure…
Jenna, enjoy your Power Yoga!!
Susan
February 2, 2008 at 2:29 pmJenna, what is the benefit of grinding your own pb versus buying natural? Does it come in more flavors?
Also, I went on Heidi Swanson’s website (inspired by you of course!). How do you learn about chefs, such as Heidi, and choose the cookbooks you want to buy. There are so many cookbooks out there. Do you read reviews?
Kelly you have to mix the oil into the pb REALLY REALLY well and then you won’t have a problem- it should take a while to mix! My first jar, the same thing happened to me. Also, I find I need to buy regular pb (not reduced fat), you need the oil to keep the pb moist.
Katherine
February 2, 2008 at 2:34 pmCarrie or Erica (I believe you were the blog readers that posted the info on how to cook)
When you do a stir fry type thing and cook the meat first, where do you put the meat when you are cooking the veggies? Do you refrigerate it?
arimcg
February 2, 2008 at 2:39 pmKatherine, you can just set it aside, then add it back in at the very end just to warm it up again. Or you can add the vegetables when the meat is almost done. But if it’s something like shrimp, you’d probably want to start cooking the vegetables first because shrimp cooks super fast. Hope that helps.
Also, sometimes I just steam the vegetables on the side at the same time, then toss it all together. That’s an easy way to do it too. Really, you can’t mess this up so don’t worry!!
jenna
February 2, 2008 at 2:43 pmClarissa,
Its dannon yogurt and whole foods brand wheat english muffins!
VeggieGirl
February 2, 2008 at 2:56 pmwhat a delicious way to begin your Saturday (and yes, I too am elated that it’s FINALLY Saturday – long week last week, for sure!!); and hey, I eat the same breakfast every morning, so don’t worry about being boring with your breakfast in college, haha :0)
have fun in Tampa at your yoga class!
Vegandancer
February 2, 2008 at 3:43 pmVeggieGirl,
I am vegan (in nutrition not lifestyle). In other words, I am a ‘strict vegetarian’ – cosmetics and clothes are not 100% animal product free. Currently, I am not 100% raw; but, I have reached 100%. For me however, the benefits conferred by eating a vegan diet equal if not surpass those of eating a raw diet. Quite frankly, the risk of nutrient insufficiencies on a 100% raw food diet scare me, since I am a college student and do not have access to the necessary equipment to allow for balance.
Oh, and full disclosure: I have been reading your blog for awhile too. I love it 😉
VeggieGirl
February 2, 2008 at 3:49 pm**Vegandancer:
I’m 75%-80% raw – after all, I need to be able to dine out and of course try my own baked goods ;0) I have found that eating mostly raw has worked WONDERS (literally) with managing (and practically eliminating) my Crohn’s Disease symptoms, which is terrific; and I have no nutritional deficiencies to speak of (nor am I on the low-end of nutrient levels).
So glad you enjoy my blog; and it’s so nice to have “met” you!! :0)
MOnica
February 2, 2008 at 3:59 pmVeggieGirl-What is your blog?
jenna
February 2, 2008 at 4:06 pmKelly,
I usually use about 1 tbsp of peanut butter at a time….if I was JUST having a peanut butter sandwich and that was it I’m sure I would use 2. I usually only use 1 tbsp though because I like to combine my sandwich with other things like fruit or yogurt to make a more balanced meal. People have said 1 tbsp = a golf ball size but that seems a bit much. I would just do what you think is right…you will probably underestimate it anyways! Ryan uses TONS of peanut butter on his sandwiches too…I make him toast in the morning and I always load the peter pan (ick) on because I know he loves it. His favorite thing is “slime honey sandwiches” which are bread, peanut butter and honey butter!
VeggieGirl
February 2, 2008 at 4:07 pm**Monica:
The URL for my blog is http://veggiegirlvegan.blogspot.com/
But you can just click on my name – it’s a link :0)
Alicia
February 2, 2008 at 4:11 pmMonica,
You just have to put your mouse over veggiegirl’s post and you can see her url. Anyway, it’s http://veggiegirlvegan.blogspot.com 🙂
Alicia
February 2, 2008 at 4:13 pmHey Veggie Girl,
Looks like we almost posted at the same time:P
Steph
February 2, 2008 at 4:24 pmHi Jenna,
I have been reading your blog for a while but this is my first time writing. I have lived in Orlando for a year and I moved here from Tampa!! I know all about commuting between the two cities b/c I did that the year before I moved here only my fiancé lived in Orlando and I lived in Tampa. I am an Exercise Physiologist at a local facility where we focus on holistic health. I see you are having coffee with a blogger in Tampa; maybe we can have coffee in Orlando. I left a link to my work in the “website” area as well as my email. If it is not possible no problem, I will keep reading and enjoying just like everyone else. Thanks to everyone for all their positive words, it helps so much!!
Stephanie
VeggieGirl
February 2, 2008 at 4:29 pmhaha, indeed we did!! and we basically said the same thing – almost word-for-word!! :0D
jenna
February 2, 2008 at 4:32 pmSusan,
I grind my own pb because then I know exactly what goes in it—PEANUTS! and only peanuts! None of that other weird stuff 🙂 Plus, I like the taste better.
I actually used to review cookbooks myself for an online food magazine and got cookbooks for free in the mail every month so that’s how I know about all these cookbooks, chefs and websites. Plus, I make it my business to know because I love learning about that kind of thing! I love 101cookbooks.com and read it daily…Ive tried tons of Heidie’s recipes and they all are great! Her cookbook is one of my favorites!
mags
February 2, 2008 at 4:39 pmhey jenna!
not sure if you’ll get this before you go to lunch but you should try the new quiznos sammies! they’re small so you can get 2 different kinds as part of one meal (i usually get sonoma turkey and balsamic chicken) and they’re also really cheap! hope you have a great day… LOVE the blog!
Vegandancer
February 2, 2008 at 5:16 pmVeggieGirl,
I am around 75% raw, and definitely did not mean to dismiss the benefits of eating mostly raw fruits and veggies (I mean, that’s my diet in a nutshell!). I have many food intolerances (dairy, wheat, certain sugars); and eating a vegan diet has helped immensely. I am glad it has helped you too!
I think everyone has to find the diet that is right for them. For some, a 100% raw diet works wonders. For others like myself, I have difficulty sticking to 100% due to other GI concerns and five years of past severe restrictive anorexia. I currently try not to restrict myself to too great a degree, although I will never compromise my adherence to cruelty-free eating.
…your baked sweets always look so tempting! 🙂
jenna
February 2, 2008 at 6:01 pmSteph,
I’d love to! My email is jenniferaweber@gmail.com—–lets set something up! 🙂
Mallory
February 2, 2008 at 6:24 pmHappy Saturday! I have a question for anybody out there. My hips and hip flexors are so tight and hurt all the time! I use to run on a regular basis about 15-20 miles per week. I don’t know if it was this or other working out that caused this, but it has recently really started to hinder my workouts. I haven’t been able to run for about a year and it stinks!
I was wondering if anyone has any advice as to how to loosen up my hips or any other workouts that I could be doing. I’ve looked some stuff up online, but would love to hear first hand from someone who has maybe experienced the same thing.
Thanks!
katie #2
February 2, 2008 at 6:39 pmAre you referring to your IT band, Mallory? IT band = the outside of your leg, from your hip bone to your knee. If so, the most effective exercise for keeping that area loose is crossing your feet while standing and stretching in the opposite direction GENTLY. A tight IT band can be stubborn and painful even while sitting. (I went through a round of PT for that problem a few years ago…I think I developed it from bicycling.)
I would also engage in some flexibility work in general on a regular basis.
Mallory
February 2, 2008 at 7:09 pmThanks Katie! Yes, that is what I am referring to.
Rachel
February 2, 2008 at 9:41 pmMallory,
I’ve had problems with my IT band since my senior year of high school and have had physical therapy so I would be able to continue running. A stretch that works really well for me is to lay on your back next to a wall and then lift and extend your outer leg, cross it over your inner leg, and put your foot on the wall. That probably wasn’t the greatest description, but you’ll be able to feel it right away…and then you’ll have to adjust the position of your outer leg on the wall to find the best “stretching spot” for your IT band. I love this stretch because my IT band feels much looser after I’m done.
However, the most helpful thing for me was seeing a physical therapist. I would recommend that you see a doctor and try to get a referral to a PT and see if your insurance will cover it. That’s really the only thing that allowed me to run again. They’ll ultrasound your IT band and then massage it (which hurts, but it’s extremely effective). The massage is the only thing that I’ve found that makes my IT band stop hurting and being tight.
Anyway, sorry for the long comment!! You should let us know what happens! 🙂
katie #2
February 2, 2008 at 11:01 pmI feel your pain, Mallory! As Rachel knows, that is one of the most stubborn injuries. I think it was a combination of factors, including rest of course (I hate that R word!) that healed me. But, I agree with Rachel, various modalities including the ultra sound and massage Rachel described help a lot to calm down the pain. Ultimately, it has to do with muscle imbalance – weak hips vs. strong quads. and usually develops through lateral moving sports – biking, running. Most insurance plans cover PT, so I would recommend it too. Plus, every time I have been in PT, I always learn so much! Good luck!
Mallory
February 2, 2008 at 11:30 pmThanks guys! Very helpful. I’ve been to the PT for various other things such as shin splints and tendonitis, but didn’t know if this could be helped by that. Last time I was in they even gave me inserts for my shoes to help. I will definitely look into it. Thanks for taking the time to respond!