Flambe Flambe!
Last night in school we lit things on fire! We flambed (which means to use alcohol + flames to set your sauce on fire) cherries jubilee, sauce suzette and bananas foster, which you seem me flambeing in the above picture. We also made crepes to use the sauces with and it was a lot of fun. My bananas foster caught on fire suddenly though and quite intensely, which shocked me and I actually let out a little scream. Cathy caught the entire thing on video and is emailing me that video so hopefully I can have another “cameo” video appearance soon ;).
We also played a little Iron Chef, where our Chef instructor gave us two ingredients (poached pears and milk!) and we had to come up with a spontaneous dessert using the two which would be judged at the end of the night. Jack and I came up with a pear tart with a pastry crust, a chinese 5-spice pastry cream and poached pears with ice cream on the side. We didn’t win but I thought it turned out pretty well regardless!
I actually really liked the Dessert powder last night although I think it would be MUCH better blended in a blender rather than just dumping the powder into your liquid, which is what I did. I was glad I brought half soymilk/half water because the soymilk thickened it up and it was sort of like a milkshake. The only bad thing was that I didn’t mix it all the way and sucked down a couple dry lumps (ewwwww). It actually really filled me up and held me over though and I wasn’t even temped to eat all the millions of rich desserts around me. I drank it around 8:00 and was good to go for the rest of the night.
This morning I woke up and headed over to the gym for some cardio. Even though I’m trying to lift more weights, I still need my cardio because starting next month I want to start training for some more small races….nothing big, maybe a few 10Ks. I really like that distance although I would still love to run in the half marathon in Tampa in February that I didn’t get to do last year because of injury. I got my mileage up to 10 miles then had to stop because of a leg injury. Talk about disappointment!! I haven’t made up my mind yet if I want to train for that but 10Ks are a lot of fun if you have been training for them! This morning I did a cardio circuit with 10 minutes on the treadmill (running at 5.8 and incline .5), 10 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the bike. Before I went I had half a banana with almond butter for fuel.
When I got back I made another delicious oatmeal pancake. The usual with 1/2 cup whites, 1/2 cup oats and topped with a spoonful of almond butter and half of a mashed banana. These keep me going for hours on end!!
Lunch today is another turkey sandwich—about 2 1/2 slices Boars Head, 1 light laughing cow cheese, honey mustard and spinach on this new bread I bought at Publix on Monday! With another huge peach—I can’t get enough of these babies!
And for a snack, a light string cheese and 12 almonds.
Tonight starts my practical!!! I’m going to use today at work to think about how I want to lay everything out and time it all. I have to make my peanut butter s’mores and cookie monsters to be plated tomorrow night for my final grade. More marshmallows tonight—-good thing I’m an old pro now (yeah right)!!
arielle
July 24, 2008 at 12:55 pmjust the words “peanut butter s’mores” make my mouth water.
Heather
July 24, 2008 at 1:05 pmPeanut butter s’mores? With homemade marshmallows?? Sign me up, please.
Alison
July 24, 2008 at 1:08 pmI’ve been using that bread for turkey sandwiches for awhile now and I really like it! Hope you do too!
Meghan
July 24, 2008 at 1:24 pmyyyyyyuuuuummmmmmm…..I’m really not sure what else to say!
Jenna, when you say “run” are you still using the the galloway method, and were you using it when you got up to 10 miles? I’d never heard of the method before reading your blog and although I don’t use it often, I really think it’s a great method.
Betsy
July 24, 2008 at 1:29 pmi’m really excited to see how your training goes! i’m in training too and man-my appetite is going INSANE!!!
VeggieGirl
July 24, 2008 at 1:35 pmWhat a gorgeous “Iron Chef” dessert ;0)
Good luck with your practical!
jenna
July 24, 2008 at 1:36 pmMeghan,
Yep! I trained extensively with the galloway method last year and got really great results. I wouldn’t dream of going any other way…it really worked perfect for me! I have the book and it gives detailed training plans but if you go to the website you can find plans there as well.
Rose
July 24, 2008 at 1:41 pmI agree with Veggie Girl – Your Iron Chef dessert looks beautiful!
Melanie
July 24, 2008 at 1:43 pmHi Jenna – I found your blog from Kath’s site and it’s great! I’ve also sort of wanted to go to culinary school so I really enjoy reading about your experiences!
I am considering running the 1/2 Marathon on Philadelphia in November and wondered about the Galloway method – I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks for all the great recipes and inspiration to stay healthy and try new healthy foods!
Best of luck on your practical – I can’t imagine anything could go wrong when you are making peanut butter smores! Wow! Yum!
Melanie
Justy2003
July 24, 2008 at 1:50 pmI’ve been wondering when these PB s’mores would show up…can’t wait to see them! Wish I could actually TASTE them though…yum!
Meghan
July 24, 2008 at 2:01 pmThanks for the quick response, Jenna! I’m able to run about 6 miles without any walking, but I find that after a run like that, my body is just exhausted, even with enough food-fuel. When I run 6+ miles on the galloway method, I just end up energized, so I’m thinking I may have to switch my running style.
~C~
July 24, 2008 at 2:16 pmPeanut Butter Smores sound fabulous!
~C~
July 24, 2008 at 2:16 pmOh, and that bread looks great too, I need to keep my eye out for it.
BethT
July 24, 2008 at 2:42 pmYou should go for that 1/2 marathon! I’m currently training for my third (I try to do one a year) and it provides such a huge sense of accomplishment.
Jenn
July 24, 2008 at 3:46 pmAny other Sweet Briar Girls in here?
Gliding Calm
July 24, 2008 at 3:47 pmYou look so pretty in your pictures!!! Sounds so fun!! I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to do it though!! The whole setting my pan on fire is kind of scary to me!!
I’ve heard that Arnold bread is great! Haven’t tried it though!
Happy Thursday Jenna!!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
July 24, 2008 at 3:48 pmGood luck on your practical!
runjess
July 24, 2008 at 4:58 pmI’m looking for a race too! I am not new to racing/running at all, but I haven’t raced since last November because I raced on an injured knee and was out for 3 months, so good for you for being smart last year about the half marathon. I’m looking for a 10k to get me ready for the longer races that I like to do, so if anyone knows of a good race in the Austin, TX area in the next month or so, let me know!
http://seejessrun.wordpress.com/
Chef Erin (Pumpkin)
July 24, 2008 at 4:59 pmAww. We didn’t get to play Iron Chef when I took that class. That would have been fun.
Also, if you don’t save a peanut butter s’more for me, I just might cry myself to sleep. Don’t make Kyle deal with that. 😉
Also, also… I’m still having blog problems. Grrr.
LisaR
July 24, 2008 at 6:13 pmJenn– I had a friend that graduated from Sweet Briar is ’05! I loved the schools colors…Pink and Green! too cute!
LisaR
July 24, 2008 at 6:36 pmJenna- I just started training for a mini marathon that will be this November! I’m nervous for a couple of reason:
1) I’ve never ran farther that 4+ miles (Using the Galloway method)
2) I live in northern Indiana and it’s pretty cold in November. I’ve never ran outside when it’s cold so this will be challenge in itself.
So…I was also curious if you ran the whole 10 miles using the Galloway method. I’ve been plesantly surprised by what I can run using that method also. However, I’ve been using Hal Higdon’s training program for the mini but incorporating Galloway’s run/walk. I’ve been running at least 4 times a week, cross train on others and a couple of days of strength too. I don’t noramally run this often in one week and I’ve noticed my legs becoming a little sluggish. As I keep running do you think I’ll gain more muscle in my legs to compensate the tiredness they’re feeling? I don’t want to over train but I want to make sure I can increase my mileage successfully before the race!
Any other runner’s have any advice for a semi-new runner and training for a mini marathon?? What should my diet consist of? Should I not eat anymore desserts during this time? What should I eat more of?
Thanks!
Lisa from CA
July 24, 2008 at 6:39 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been reading your blog for a little bit, but first time commenting!
I totally understand your motivation to run. I got up to 10 miles too, but hurt my back and am currently on a hiatus that has lasted for 2 months! SOOOO friggin frustrating.
I’m hoping to get back in it some time soon, but my back isn’t 100% yet…
Good luck! Keep us posted with how it goes!
-lisa
tfh
July 24, 2008 at 7:19 pmI’m running my first 10k on Saturday! Very nervous. Advice welcome!
LisaR– give up desserts? Ha…then what’s the point of running? 🙂 No, seriously, I have found that eating iron-rich foods improves my runs. (I am mostly veg so some of my faves are quinoa, beans, lentils, green leafies, and dark chocolate.) But I find it helps to keep track of what I’m eating as part of my running log so I can be “scientific” about how my nutrition affects my performance!
Michelle
July 24, 2008 at 7:53 pmThe Galloway Method? Can anyone shed some light on what this is please?
Jenna, lovely brilliant stuff today in your blog!!!
Jenn
July 24, 2008 at 8:21 pmLisa, who was your friend? i migh tknow her! I graduated in 2006!
Nicole
July 24, 2008 at 8:25 pmPeanut butter s’mores? Yes please. Yum.
And I understand how horrible it is to have to cancel race plans because of an injury. Hopefully that won’t happen this time around!
rebecca
July 24, 2008 at 8:27 pmLisa R –
I ran my first half marathon in June and it was awesome! I had only been running for a year. Used the HH training guide although modified it somewhat (I started out at a greater mileage, did 12 as my longest run, and tapered to 6 the last weekend).
Sluggish legs – I stopped lifting legs the last month or so just to keep from beating them up too much. I also rested my legs and just worked upper body or walked or did light yoga the day before and day after the long run. This seemed to do the trick.
Food – I’m always hungry anyway and work out a ton so my eating didn’t change much. However, it’s really important to practice what you can eat the night and morning before a long run. My stomach could get really upset sometimes so I had to really monitor what I ate to see what it could handle. That way on race day you know you are doing what’s best. Also, when I got to 8+ miles it helped soooo much to have a Gatorade, gel, or sports beans in the middle of the run. You could actually feel the energy.
Oh, and I live in Chicago – and it does get freakin’ cold. So my advice is stay off the treadmill as much as possible to let your body acclimate. I ran outside all last winter and you just get used to it.
Have fun!
p.s. and dude, one of the benefits of running is you get to eat dessert 🙂
Michael
July 24, 2008 at 8:58 pmThanks for the info on the last post– believe me, it’s refreshing to see women loving life…
On another note, Jenna, do you think it’s safe for a novice to flambe? I mean, seeing those pictures made me want to try it, but how much alcohol do you use?
jenna
July 24, 2008 at 9:01 pmMichelle,
See this website for more info re the Galloway method. I was NOT a runner and it helped me run and LOVE it! http://www.jeffgalloway.com/
jenna
July 24, 2008 at 9:03 pmMichael,
I’m going to try to post a recipe this weekend but its only like 2 ounces alcohol…you put it in the sauce (OFF the heat) then put the pan back on the heat, dip it into the flame and the entire sauce should ignite! If I can do it, anyone can do it because I’m the most accident prone person in the world…haha
jenna
July 24, 2008 at 9:19 pmLisa,
Yes, I did run 10 miles using the Galloway Method. I ran 40 minutes twice a week then did a “long” run on the weekends. I followed his training regimen to a tee….10 miles was HARD…I honestly felt like my body was not meant to go farther. But….I didn’t feel exhausted afterward (a little sore though!!). I know that Cristin, from Eat Like Me blog, ran a marathon in march in Boston when it was snowing last year so maybe she has some more cold weather advice because I’m always in the heat down here! That’s why I can’t train for anything in the summer!! My advice though is if you think its way too cold, then stick to a treadmill. I know people who have trained for races using JUST the treadmill and have succeeded.
Kelsey
July 25, 2008 at 12:38 amI’ve always wondered if chefs in school ever did Iron Chef challenges. Your dessert is very beautiful, something I’d see in a fancy restaurant!!
LisaR
July 25, 2008 at 1:56 amThanks guys for your running advice!! I really appreciate it!
Rebecca and TFH- I should definately start thinking about keeping a food journal just for the running aspect of it. You guys both made some valid points with that. Thanks!
Jenn- Her name was Liz (I feel bad giving her last name on the internet! lol) If you new her then you’d probably know that she grew up in Nicaragua. She was in Phi Beta Kapa and she did stuff with the chrisitian fellowship on campus.
Jenna- Good call with mentioning how Cristin ran in the cold! She would be someone to give good input on that! You sound a lot like me though! I’m not really a runner (even though I strive to be one! haha) so I can imagine what running 10 miles would feel like (eh uhm…AMAZING! I’m sure I’d be super sore from it but I think my excitment would out weigh the pain!) Thanks for your advice 🙂
LisaR
July 25, 2008 at 1:59 amOh and I love your responses about eating desserts! hahah that makes me feel so much better!!! (I think I’m about to get some ice cream right now 😉
kathy
July 25, 2008 at 2:02 amArnolds Natural Flax and Fiber–thats my favorite bread! Now that your eating it, maybe Ryan will too. Yay!
Ryan’s Mom
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