Goodness gracious, I think my stress pretty much melted away just by reading your responses to my previous post!
I don’t know why I felt compelled to put that photo there other than the fact that it seems like The Ford Plantation is a pretty low stress environment over there in Gawwwwgia. Ya know?
I got a big kick out of those of you who mentioned the consumption of wine in stressful situations. Can I get a heck yeah?! Unfortunately (fortunately?) I’m out of wine and the boyfriend (bearer of all good wine) is out of town so I shall stick to my decaf herbal tea because that’s how I roll.
As I mentioned before, a HUGE stress release for me is cooking. Especially with my mom and best friend. And especially fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
Wait, I have brown hair in this photo. Strange. And, oh! I should have remembered to pack that apron…how cute it is with that dress? Hmmmm Anyways!
I felt a lot better after a bike ride. The sweet guys at the local bike shop pumped up my tires and then gave me a kit (with a portable pump) to “borrow” for my ride after I gave them a blank stare when they asked me if I had such necessary tools and if I knew how to change a tire. Obviouslyyyyyy. 😉
Memories of flying over a curb (hard!) when I was seventeen with my dad sitting shotgun and busting my front tire flew back into my head. I’ll never forget sitting on the side of the road teary eyed and embarrassed while he taught me how to change my first flat.
I ended up doing about 25 miles of rolling hills. The “sweet guys” told me about a great 35 mile loop for “beginners” out in Alexander Valley with a spectacular view at the top. Since I’ve been doing the same Dry Creek circle over and over for the past few weeks I thought I would give this new route a whirl.
Plus, (let’s be honest) I’m a sucker for spectacular views.
The first ten miles were breathtaking but then when I realized I was going UPHILL FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN MILES (duh Jenna, you go UP a mountain to see the spectacular view at the top) I, uhhhhh, circled around and went my own way, which was much flatter. There were still hills but it wasn’t straight uphill….thank goodness. I guess the good thing though about going uphill is that what goes up must come down. I love that part. 🙂
Regardless, it was a lovely 25 mile ride and I threw down a serious green monster after.
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I have been using Designer Whey as of late), 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 frozen banana and a crapload of spinach. So fresh and so green, green!
Dinner was pretty classic. A salmon burger topped with laughing cow and dijon + a huge baked sweet potato and roasted broccoli.
I just discovered tonight the miracle of roasted broccoli. YOU CAN ROAST IT FROZEN STRAIGHT FROM THE BAG!!!!!!!!!! I’m a simple girl, really.
In case you were wondering, I roasted this at 375 for about 10 minutes with some sea salt and hot pepper flakes. I think I might like broccoli now?
I tried one of these bad boys for dessert, along with an apple:
The company sent me a few to sample and I was really impressed! It tasted awesome buuuuuut was pretty teeny tiny. However, I would still buy them again because it tasted like a treat! I loved the crunch from the graham crackers. I haven’t had “runny” yogurt in forever!
I leave you with a brief text message conversation with my mom this afternoon:
Me: tax day sucks. please send more cinnamon gummy bears and my jean skirt. Stat.
Her: Jennifer. Go hug Dexter.
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 15, 2010 at 7:16 pmAww looks like the PERFECT way to de-stress! I’m glad you are feeling better. I love escaping in a good workout and hanging out with friends and good food!!! Enjoy your night!
Andrea J
April 15, 2010 at 7:21 pmThat view is beautiful! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
Samantha (Foodedu)
April 15, 2010 at 7:24 pmAhhh, your bike ride sounds and looks like it was amazing! And I did not know you could roast broccoli right in the bag. Like frozen broccoli from the freezer case?
Run Sarah
April 15, 2010 at 7:24 pmThose views look amazing!! Thanks for the broc tip, I have to try that!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
April 15, 2010 at 7:37 pmI actually love roasted broccoli, and I hate veggies! It has made me eat broccoli … well, a few bites at least!
Jil
April 15, 2010 at 7:37 pmI love how veggies are completely different when roasted!! Broccolini is wicked good, too!! The pictures are beautiful, and I’m glad the stress has melted away!
Mama Pea
April 15, 2010 at 7:37 pmYou seem very chipper tonight…so whatever you did to destress…it worked! I like!
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle
April 15, 2010 at 7:38 pmGorgeous day and scenery for a bike ride!! Dinner looks so good yet simple- have you ever sauteed broccoli (til pretty soft) with good olive oil and then added tons of pressed garlic and red pepper flakes? Mmm. I’ve never had it oven-roasted, though all other veggies are delish when roasted!
Lisa @ bakebikeblog
April 15, 2010 at 7:38 pmhaha the message from your mum is too cute 🙂
Nicole
April 15, 2010 at 7:44 pmThat dinner looks absolutely delish! I had never thought to roast my brocc with red pepper flakes, definitely going to try that one 😀 stoked: yes.
Brynn
April 15, 2010 at 7:45 pmhaha! That text convo is too cute.
Elizabeth
April 15, 2010 at 7:48 pmthe texts made me laugh! it reminds me of something my own mom would say! 🙂
Picnics and Peonies
April 15, 2010 at 7:49 pmHahaha, that text convo made my night 🙂 And your bike ride sounds incredible… I’d love to take up cycling! Glad you’re feeling better!!!
Ameena
April 15, 2010 at 7:54 pmCall me crazy but I am pretty excited that I can roast frozen brocolli. I think I am going to try it ASAP.
I am in awe of your bike ride!
Jenny
April 15, 2010 at 7:55 pmThat is such a great mother/daughter text:) I love it!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
April 15, 2010 at 7:59 pmI didn’t know you could roast it from frozen….ooooo new fun!
Zeus' Mom
April 15, 2010 at 8:02 pmHow cute is your mom?!?!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
April 15, 2010 at 8:07 pmhaha love the convo with your Mom. I had no idea you could roast broccoli frozen straight from the bag!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
April 15, 2010 at 8:20 pmmmmmmmmmm frozen broccoli roasted sounds so good right now 🙂 well, just roasted broccoli in general 🙂
Laura
April 15, 2010 at 8:26 pmWow, that is a beautiful view. It makes me want to dig my poor dusty bike out of the shed and take it somewhere scenic, I don’t think I have been on it for 2 years.
Jenna
April 15, 2010 at 8:32 pmWhat great views!
Midgetkeeper
April 15, 2010 at 8:39 pmLove the text message conversation and can I just say I am in love with your pictures.
Mastering Public Health
April 15, 2010 at 9:44 pmAwesome pics and good advice from Mom. I like how her response simplified things beautifully.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
April 15, 2010 at 10:13 pmAhhh…is your real name Jennifer? I never knew! Props on the picture-taking effort today =]]]
jen trinque
April 15, 2010 at 10:13 pmWhat the heck are cinnamon gummy bears?? I didn’t know those existed. And your mom is right, hugging Dexter will always be the best way to solve a stressful situation.
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit
April 15, 2010 at 10:15 pmDijon and LC on salmon sounds fabulous! I need to try this!
Adam
April 15, 2010 at 10:20 pmLove the convo with your mom and the fact that Dexter is a de-stresser, haha!
Diana
April 15, 2010 at 10:37 pmThat place looks amazing 🙂
I’ve never tried roasted broccoli which is weird because I LOVE broccoli :p
Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
April 15, 2010 at 10:50 pmOh my gosh, I love roasted broccoli. I usually chop up some cauliflower and broccoli, toss with chopped garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast for 30 minutes. So good!
Your mom seems like she knows you really well! haha 🙂
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
April 16, 2010 at 12:16 amaawh you look happy, and what an amazing view!! Stunning 🙂
caitlin
April 16, 2010 at 1:21 amwhen do we (the blog world) get to meet the boyfriend!?!?
Christie {Honoring Health}
April 16, 2010 at 3:16 amSorry you had such a stressful day 🙁 Hope you are feeling better asap.
I love roasted broccoli and I always use the frozen kind right from the bag. So much cheaper and easier but I only use the florets or the big stems and not the “chopped” kind.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
April 16, 2010 at 3:36 amThose scenic views would definitely lift my mood and help me to unwind. I had no idea about roasting frozen broccoli! I would’ve thought it might taste mushy. Did you have to defrost it first?’
Mariel
April 16, 2010 at 3:48 amJenna, you make me smile. Your positive outlook is contagious! And, the so fresh and so green green totally made me laugh!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
April 16, 2010 at 4:37 amOoh, yes, I love roasted broccoli!!! Such a totally different thing than the steamed, limp broccolie I remember from childhood! Yummy ride and beautiful dinner!
eatmovelove
April 16, 2010 at 4:41 amOnly 10 mins in the oven? I always end up just sauteing in oil (pretend it’s roasting?!) cause it’s quicker but 10 mins…
Glad you felt better after. Hah – I avoid anything that looks like a slope when walking!!
How long is 25 miles for you?!! Do you always go by miles or time?? It’s like foreign lingo. You ended your night healthier than I …with copious amounts of milk chocolate…gawwwwwddd.
And get your Mom to send you that apron!!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
April 16, 2010 at 4:55 amThat view is awesome. I might ride 10+ miles if I could see that. Big office buildings and McDonald’s aren’t as inspiring.
Tara
April 16, 2010 at 5:05 amGorgeous views. That dress and apron DO go cute together!!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
April 16, 2010 at 5:11 amThose ARE gorgeous views. Do you take your DSLR or your point and shoot on bike rides, or are those iPhone photos? They are AMAZING 🙂
Love the text chat. I’m pretty sure my mom and I have sent a few similar to that 🙂
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
April 16, 2010 at 5:21 amI loooove wine and cooking to de-stress. Baking works, too!
I love broccoli, but I have never roasted it from frozen! I need to try that!!
xo
K
Cole
April 16, 2010 at 5:35 amIt’s truly the simplest pleasures that are the best!
MMiller
April 16, 2010 at 5:40 amGlad you de-stressed well! Your bike ride looked great! And your dinner looks awesome! I need to try that roasted frozen broccoli! (make sure to respond to the poster near the beginning that thought you roasted it IN THE BAG!)
Hope you have a great and stress-less day!
jenna
April 16, 2010 at 5:42 amyour mom sounds soooo sweet! I think that every time you talk about her!
Natalie
April 16, 2010 at 6:09 amLOVE roasted broccoli! But did not know I could roast it frozen…thanks! 🙂
Tina
April 16, 2010 at 6:19 amAww, you’re mom’s awesome.
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
April 16, 2010 at 6:30 amhaha! i love your mom’s text back to you.
Every day I read your blog, more and more I want to move to California! It’s so beautiful. Hopefully we can end up there when my hubby finishes law school in a year!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
April 16, 2010 at 6:33 amHahah I love your text conversation 😉
Devon
April 16, 2010 at 6:44 amWeird.. A co-worker just told me he’s going to a wedding at the Ford Plantation in September. Its gorgeous!
Angharad
April 16, 2010 at 6:47 amI just discovered roasted broccoli as well! It’s amazing, no?! Love.
That bike ride looks incredible! I’m planning a big one this weekend in the glorious sun – lucky for me, Minneapolis is flat as a pancake!
Kait
April 16, 2010 at 6:56 amhaha, your moms response it too funny! I love texting my mom, shes really bad at it so I know a 5 word response takes her about 10 minutes to write…shes too cute
Lauren @ louisianagrown
April 16, 2010 at 7:03 amBwahhaa. I love how this post is all over the place. I felt like it was stream of consciousness and I was looking straight into the jumble that your mind is right now. Too funny.
MLT
April 16, 2010 at 7:05 amAw, something about this post reminds me a lot of Garance dore’s writing, and I just love her!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 16, 2010 at 7:17 amI love those pictures!!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
April 16, 2010 at 7:20 amHaha love the text between you and your mom, priceless!
Mmm roasted broccoli is the best! I have discovered that almost any veggie tastes AMAZING roasted.
Laura Georgina
April 16, 2010 at 7:33 amI had no idea about roasting frozen broccoli–must try since fresh broccoli is much too expensive to even look at down these parts!
I think you need a care package with that apron 🙂
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
April 16, 2010 at 7:39 amhahaha your mom’s response is too funny. Green monsters are sooo yummy
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
April 16, 2010 at 7:40 amhahaha your mom’s response is too funny. Green monsters are sooo yummy
Marina
April 16, 2010 at 8:33 amAah, that bike ride sounds awesome. I just got a flat tire today, and spent 40 min. pushing my bike :/
I do not have the kit and I don’t know how to change the tires, I should really learn that.
I am clumsy when it comes to robes and cooking too :)))
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
April 16, 2010 at 9:29 amlol. I love your mom. That’s so funny.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing
April 16, 2010 at 12:09 pmI plan on teaching my mom how to text when I go down to Florida for her birthday/mother’s day. 🙂
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
April 16, 2010 at 4:53 pm25 miles of hills, yikes, good thing their was a amazing view waiting.
Glitterati
April 16, 2010 at 5:19 pmI love that your mom calls you “Jennifer”. That’s such a wonderfully ‘mom’ thing! 😉
Kim
April 16, 2010 at 7:20 pmLOVE the txt to and from Mom!
Have you tried goat cheese with your sweet potato? I just did today and it was so YUMMY!
Have a great weekend and Go hug Dexter!
Haute Teapot
April 16, 2010 at 9:26 pmcute, cute, cute. love the view picture too, and, you’re a funny gal.