Good Morning!
Thank you all SO much for the sweet comments last night. It makes me feel like I have friends all over the country! Reading positive comments from you all really does make a difference and really does make me smile. Thanks again!
This morning I made peanut butter oatmeal and had english breakfast tea to drink. I did my oats like normal–2 ounces (or just a splash) skim milk, 1 tbsp pb, 1 banana with steel cut oats. Like always, they hit the spot! I’m out of peanut butter now though—disaster!!–I’ll have to remember to get some more this weekend at the health food store in Tampa where I can grind my own.
about 377 calories
I think I am going to start consciously shifting my daily meal sizes so I can have a larger meal for dinner. I used to always have my “big” meal as lunch but with my schedule being so crazy and me working at night or soon to be going to school til midnight, I need a big bulk of my calories to come in the evening so I can fuel to run on all night. I know I wasn’t hungry last night but I was on my feet for 4 1/2 hours and when I got home I was very hungry! I know we have recently been discussing the way people spread out their calories during the day so I thought this might be interesting to you. When I was in college for example I ate all small meals but snacked very often and my snacks were larger. I would say each of my “meal” was 400 calories but I would have three larger snacks a day. It all just depends on what works for you! In France and most of Europe the women also eat smaller meals during the day but then have a much larger more elaborate dinner. Eating three super large meals a day is proven not to be good for your metabolism and can actually lead you into eating more.
Okay, enough of that! I just wanted you all to know what was going on when you see a smaller lunch but a bigger dinner! 🙂
Clarissa
January 31, 2008 at 1:18 pmHi Jenna, and everyone! I wanted to ask about bee pollen. I recently read how healthy this is, and I bought it at a health food store and have been eating it in oatmeal and yogurt- it’s very yummy! Does anyone know any info on bee pollen? I feel like it’s not widely recommended.
Thanks!
-C
VeggieGirl
January 31, 2008 at 1:49 pmthere is nothing like fresh-ground nut-butter – it’s fun to make your own either at Whole Foods (which I know you like to do) or even in your own food processor or blender!! yum!! Makes a great accompaniment to the oatmeal, for sure :0)
Sounds like a great plan, for your meals!
VeggieGirl
January 31, 2008 at 1:52 pmP.S. – regarding your comment, Clarissa:
Here’s some information about bee pollen – hope this helps!!: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Bee_Pollen.htm
Leah
January 31, 2008 at 2:05 pmHi everyone,
I’m new to this blog so I missed posting a timely response to Jenna, Jennifer and the other women who’ve struggled with disordered eating. It seems out-of-place to bring up the subject again in depth, so I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their experiences and support. It really meant a lot to me, and it really helps to know that I’m not alone.
I hope everyone has a great day.
mel
January 31, 2008 at 2:37 pmGood Morning Everyone! It’s one day closer to Friday!! yeah! haha! I made oatmeal this morning as usual but instead of adding a whole banana and pb, and some milk, I added 1/2 a banana, 3/4 cup of blueberries and some milk- it was soo good but my oatmeal was completely purple!! (the blueberries were frozen!!) haha! it looked disgusting but tasted good!! when you all add blueberries (frozen) do you add them when the oats are simmering on the stove like I did or do you defrost them and add them at the end? thanks!!
Mel
Katherine
January 31, 2008 at 2:43 pmThanks so much for your netulla- I loved the college story. To make you graham cracker sandwich more “healthy” try adding marshmellow flufll to it!
I know you love your peanut butter and so do I. Like your know plan I eat my big meal as dinner. My question is, since pb is high cal, if you eat pb and j for lunch and its not your big meal, what would you eat with it? I love pb, and while it sticks with me, it is not filling in volume.
Shelley
January 31, 2008 at 3:00 pmVeggieGirl~
Can you really make peanut butter by just throwing peanuts in a food processor??? That would be the best news ever.
jennifer
January 31, 2008 at 3:09 pmwhere is the recipe section on this blog?! thanks.
Liz
January 31, 2008 at 3:22 pmMel, I had blueberry oatmeal this morning too, I used frozen blueberries and just threw them in while the oatmeal was cooking…it was definatly blue. Smurf breakfast!
Jennifer, recipes is at the very top of the page in the right had corner, it says “recipes” ;-P
H
January 31, 2008 at 3:39 pmI have been lurking for a few weeks after finding this site, I love your blog! My brother is a 21 year old culinary student at Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, NC so I can relate to your site though stories I hear from him about his culinary school experience. I am so mad I didn’t know about your blog while you were in Paris, that would have been fun to read everyday. Keep up the good work!
Allison
January 31, 2008 at 4:16 pmVeggieGirl…
To make your own peanut butter in a food processor or blender what do you need to do? I would love to try!
Thanks!
Marsha
January 31, 2008 at 4:17 pmJenna, two questions.
1. When you are done eating are you always satisfied enough that you stop thinking about food? I hate that sometimes I will be completely full, but still thinking about food because it’s almost as if I can feel the sugars and insulin in my body digesting.
2. I love to have breakfast for dinner some nights, such as waffles. However, waffles are carb heavy and little protein. While a lot of carbs in the morning hold me over, any recommendations of what to eat with waffles for dinner? I would rather not have eggs, since I’m not that big of fan. Thanks and hope you have a good day!
VeggieGirl
January 31, 2008 at 4:40 pm**Allison, Shelley, and anyone else who is interested:
You could probably just try it with peanuts, but the natural oils may not be fully released (hence the need for just ONE teaspoon or tablespoon – depending on whether you blend or process it – of peanut oil. Remember, it’s healthy fats, and the oil separation at the top is NATURAL!).
*Here’s how to make peanut butter in a food processor:
2 cups roasted shelled peanuts
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if salted peanuts are used)
Using the metal blade, process ingredients continuously for 2 to 3 minutes. The ground peanuts will form a ball which will slowly disappear. Continue to process until the desired consistency is obtained. If necessary, stop machine and scrape sides of container with a rubber spatula.
For crunchy peanut butter, stir in 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts after the processing is completed.
Yields 1 cup creamy or 1-1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter.
Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Oil may rise to the top. If this occurs, stir before using.
*And here’s how to make peanut butter in a blender:
1 cup roasted shelled peanuts
1-1/2 teaspoons peanut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (omit salt if salted peanuts are used)
Place ingredients in blender. With the lid secured, blend until mixture becomes paste-like or spreadable (3 to 4 minutes). If necessary, stop the machine and use a rubber spatula to scrape mixture from the sides of the container back into contact with the blade. Continue blending until desired consistency is reached.
For crunchy peanut butter, stir in 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts after the blending is completed.
Yields 1/2 cup creamy or 3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter.
Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Oil may rise to the top. If this occurs, stir before using.
Hope this helps! Enjoy! :0)
Katie R
January 31, 2008 at 4:51 pmJenna- is there any reason you don’t use primarily milk to make your oatmeal? Do you prefer the taste of water in your oatmeal over milk? Thanks!
Jen
January 31, 2008 at 5:09 pmThanks, Veggie Girl. I think I’m going to give that a try!
Christie
January 31, 2008 at 5:38 pmJenna,
I have found that since I have longer days ( up from 6am and have grad class till 830pm) it has been better for me to just eat when i am hungry and have meals around 400 calories, and not think of it as lunch or snack or whatever but equal portioned meals that have balance carbs/prot/fat.. but little higher fat content to keep my full longer. This has defenitaly helped hunger wise and focus wise
Clarissa
January 31, 2008 at 5:41 pmVeggie Girl,
Thanks! I looked at that site. I did search around on the internet before posting on here, but I was wondering if anyone has had personal experience with bee pollen 🙂
jenna
January 31, 2008 at 6:03 pmKatie R,
Its out of habit. I just always make my steel cut oats in water and add milk at the end because that’s what I’ve done for years. Steel cut oats simmer faster in water and are done quicker! Plus, I think the taste is the same adding milk at the end.
Marsha,
Because of the life I live (culinary school, working in a restaurant, ect) I NEVER stop thinking about food. I’m already planning my next meal while I eat my first! That’s just the way I’m made….I love reading and studying cookbooks and planning my grocery lists. Going to the store is my favorite thing to do!
About breakfast for dinner: I think once in a while its perfectly fine to just have waffles for dinner! I love having pancakes for dinner–my mom used to do that for my brother and I growing up. I usually do include an egg for protein, but since you don’t like eggs what about a soy sausage patty or turkey bacon? That would provide enough protein and give waffles a bit more “stick to you” feeling!
jenna
January 31, 2008 at 6:20 pmKatherine,
Usually when I have pb&j I just have a piece of fruit with it. The combo of peanut butter, wheat bread and fruit is enough to keep me going for at least a couple hours because pb packs a real punch, , nutritionallY! I usually only have 1 tbsp at a time.
Sarah C
January 31, 2008 at 9:30 pmmel (and Liz) …haha I had blueberry and banana oatmeal for breakfast today to!! I like to add my blueberries in the middle of cooking so they get warmed and juicy and then burst in my mouth!