No more cupcakes for breakfast 🙁
My mom asked me to bake some more this afternoon though actually! How funny is that?! I have a TON of stuff to do today. My cell phone already broke this morning so number one on my list is to get to the verizon store. I am also meeting Ryan for lunch in St.Pete (he commutes to work everyday) and to see his new office. I started my day with a big bowl of oats with almond milk, water, almond butter, cinnamon, banana and maple syrup. At least that’s going right so far!
Forgot to mention! At the fashion show last night I only sipped on some sparkling water with lime…but then when I got to my parent’s house I devoured the last carrot cake cupcake! Mmm!!
I’m off to see if they can save my phone 🙁
sweet basil
April 4, 2008 at 12:34 pmdid they have anything good at the fashion show (with regard to the food AND the fashion)? i’d love to see pictures if you have them.
jenna
April 4, 2008 at 12:36 pmsweet basil,
It was really more like a fundraiser than a professional fashion show. It was like “the 10 most affluent men in tampa” modeling clothes from Saks with all proceeds going to kids cancer research. No “real” models! I had no idea what it was when I was going and just figured that out when I got there! The food was as I thought (glad I ate before!) and I had some sparkling water with lime to drink.
NJ
April 4, 2008 at 12:54 pmJenna,
How many of those guys were single? 😉
That’s great that Ryan is involved in the cause. I was also, like another poster (but not in a nasty way) going to ask if there’s a big age difference between you guys. Maybe it was just the last pics and the fact that you look so, so young (lucky!).
Either way, I’m a fan of your work… 🙂
Beth
April 4, 2008 at 1:00 pmIs Ryan a doctor since he sits on the board of the cancer foundation? or what does he do in st. pete?
Mom
April 4, 2008 at 1:04 pmNJ,
Haha none of those guys were single! A lot were much much older. Ryan is 8 years older than I am. 🙂
Beth,
Ryan owns a Hedge Fund. His office is in downtown St.Pete. He recently started it on his own back in January. He sits on the board for the pediatric cancer foundation for charity and because he really feels passionate about helping the kids.
Mom
April 4, 2008 at 1:04 pmhahaha ooops! I’m on my mom’s computer so it logged me in under the wrong name! It’s me 🙂
Romina
April 4, 2008 at 1:04 pmAww that’s too bad all those cupcakes are gone, but more baking sounds like fun!!
Sorry to hear about your phone, I’m crossing my fingers for you!
Betsy
April 4, 2008 at 1:28 pmgood luck with your cell phone!! i lost mine on new years eve, and it was awful trying to locate it and then getting a new one. I hate having to deal with cell phone stuff.
enjoy your day!!
CR
April 4, 2008 at 1:30 pmJenna, I hope this isn’t too personal/off topic of food, but I was just curious how you and Ryan met?
Cara
April 4, 2008 at 1:38 pmI hope they can save your phone. i hate when my phone dies. boo. So much stress!
kristin point
April 4, 2008 at 1:57 pmthats too funny you logged in as mom! i was sooo confused because if ryan looks reallllly young compared to “8 years older than” a mom! you and ryan are super cute btw!
Emily
April 4, 2008 at 2:01 pmHi guys, I love this blog but don’t post too often. I have a few questions I’d love your thoughts on.
– I gave up grains for a while off and on because they were my weakness and giving them up helped me learn a lot more about the other important food groups like fruits and vegetables. I’m addicted to produce now! I love salads, fruit etc. I’m reincorporating grains back into my diet but I have to say it feels a litte uncomfortable. Also I love fruit but seriously how much is too much and do you think I can semi-subsititute my grains for fruit? I know they have different nutrients and you have a lot of sugar in fruit, but they both have carbohydrates, and I always feel like you just can’t go wrong with fresh produce. What do you think?
– Also I’m not vegan but some of those recipes look amazing!
-I also love ff cream cheese. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the nutritional value, but I don’t understand that? It seems perfect to me! Any thoughts?
– It’s so good to hear of other people who need to snack every couple hours. I honestly think it’s best for me to do very small meals every 2 hours. I still end up eating about 1500 calories in a day but im never starving or cranky!
Emily
April 4, 2008 at 2:07 pmAnother question:
I love cooking but I don’t cook with oil, many grains, much sugar if any, butter etc. I’m not vegan or vegeterian but I don’t eat a lot of red meat. I’m looking for a cookbook that fits into that sort of style. Any ideas? I usually just end up creating my own recipies based on lean meat, veggies, and spices, but I’d love more inspiration. Any reccomendations? Thanks!
Alice (in Veganland)
April 4, 2008 at 2:08 pmoh, so sorry about your phone. Don’t get stressed, you’re gonna have a wonderful day!
Mel H
April 4, 2008 at 2:17 pmcr- I think that answer in in the FAQ section- they met on an elevator! Have a great day Jenna- enjoy the weather, its raining cats and dogs in KY again today…!!
Mel H
April 4, 2008 at 2:24 pmJenna, I think Ryan is so cute and you all are SO cute together !! I go for older men too bc most 20 yr old guys are so immature!! Except for my boy bc I trained him from an early age..just kidding! I’m a journalism major and i think you write beautifully. Some people just want to bitchy about everything- please ignore negative comments bc you are doing a greatt job and I still love the blog as much as I did when I first started reading it last year!!
Mel
ally
April 4, 2008 at 2:34 pm…….. sorry if my ealier comment was ?? I guess it sounds (or reads) kind of bad it was meant to be a joke. I thought your grammar could use some improvement since you want to be a cookbook writer and who knows if a publisher comes to see this site! I didn’t know one constructive critisism would kick me out of a website. That is quite childish, don’t you think?
You wrote:
There’s tons of other blogs out there that might have better grammar for you!
Yes, and “there ARE tons of other blogs.” What you wrote is incorrect again…
Ryan:
I wrote you look older and not that you were balding….. are you?? 🙂
CR
April 4, 2008 at 2:41 pmJeez Ally relax! Your comment WAS rude. Looks like you can dish it out but can’t take it!
Olivia
April 4, 2008 at 2:57 pmHello, I’ve never commented before but I read this blog every day.
Ally I just want to say you are extremely rude & if you think your comment was “constructive criticism,” you are ridiculous. If you don’t like it why bother reading? I think you’re just jealous because Jenna is gorgeous, happy, & has an awesome blog! Just had to say that.
Nadia
April 4, 2008 at 3:08 pmHaha
Ally, sorry but you sound incredibly absurd and immature.
jenna
April 4, 2008 at 3:16 pmCR,
Mel was right—Ryan and I DID meet in an elevator almost 2 years ago. I was living in Tampa for the summer doing an internship at an ad. agency (summer before my senior year of college) and we met in the elevator one morning and the rest was history! We did long distance the whole next year while I finished up school and continue to do long distance now while I live in Orlando until the end of September. Then, I guess, I’ll be here for good! Thanks for asking 🙂
Katherine
April 4, 2008 at 3:19 pmAlly,
I would say in general all the readers here love Jenna’s personality, and we don’t focus on minor grammar mistakes! That’s not why we visit. She has one of the most refreshing food blogs to read 🙂
With that said, if we are going to pick on grammar, I am pretty sure your second sentence needs some proof reading itself- there seems to be a period or semicolon or conjunction with a comma missing (your choice).
“I guess it sounds (or reads) kind of bad (missing punctuation goes here) it was meant to be a joke.”
Katherine
April 4, 2008 at 3:20 pmAlly,
I would say in general all the readers here love Jenna’s personality, and we don’t focus on minor grammar mistakes! That’s not why we visit. She has one of the most refreshing food blogs to read 🙂
With that said, if we are going to pick on grammar, I am pretty sure your second sentence needs some proof reading itself- there seems to be a period or semicolon or conjunction with a comma missing (your choice).
“I guess it sounds (or reads) kind of bad (missing punctuation goes here) it was meant to be a joke.”
Katherine
April 4, 2008 at 3:23 pmsorry for the repeat, hit send twice
Katie R
April 4, 2008 at 3:24 pmJenna- this could be incredibly overstepping my boundaries so please tell me to mind my own business if it is!! I am just curious… did you feel any sort of pressure when you first started dating Ryan because of the age difference? Just simply that he is older and obviously has experienced much more of life than you… I think it is so impressive that you two have been dating for two years and not only are you separated by an age difference but also by a geographical difference! It is refreshing because my boyfriend is not only older but he lives in a different city! I’m glad I’m not alone here 🙂
happyherbivore
April 4, 2008 at 3:25 pmwe love you Jenna!
jenna
April 4, 2008 at 3:26 pmKatie R,
You know…I never did. Ryan and I got along perfectly from the first moment we met. I hate to say it….but I’m more mature than a lot of girls my age…..that being said, GUYS my age have never really worked out. I’m not really into the whole “let’s get drunk and go meet guys” kind of thing. Ryan and I have always seemed to be on the same level and, while it’s challenging not being together every day, it’s totally worth it.
Katie R
April 4, 2008 at 3:31 pmJenna- oh my goodness… you sound just like me! I just graduated college in May last year and I was refreshed to not be around the whole “let’s get wasted” scene constantly… dating someone older is definitely the way to go! I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂 I agree that the distance is worth it… whoever says “long distance relationships never last” obviously do not do their research!!
ChocolateCoveredVegan
April 4, 2008 at 3:37 pmhopefully the rest of the day will bring you less stress! (Haha, maybe the cupcakes this afternoon’ll help!)
fashionista
April 4, 2008 at 3:38 pmJenna.
love the blog. as always.
The Canadian living in Cape Town here ; )…mail on the way…
anyhoo . Just wanted to say that my man is also 8 years older than me! We dated 2 years long distance ( him being in South Africa and me in Canada!!!!!!).
I have now been here for just over 3 years and have never regreted a single moment… love is love. simple as that.
You and Ryan are TOO sweet.
Have a beautiful weekend with your man + fam.
loves.
Kristen
April 4, 2008 at 4:05 pmJenna,
I’m looking for a short-term vegetarian/vegan focused instructional cooking program. Do you know of any such programs, either online or at actual cooking schools? I’m relocating to the west coast, so if you (or any of your readers) have suggestions in that region, I’d love to hear about them.
Thanks!
ally
April 4, 2008 at 4:07 pmI don’t claim to be an English major graduate and I am only 17 yrs old…
JennS
April 4, 2008 at 4:18 pmAlly, leave it to the big girls
Emily
April 4, 2008 at 4:22 pmI know it wasn’t about grammar (isn’t a blog an informal writing space) or boys, but anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!
Molly
April 4, 2008 at 4:30 pmJenna-
I just recently discovered your blog from Kath’s.
I absolutely love it! I am currently a college student
studying to be a Registered Dietician with a passion for cooking,
but I’m not sure that I’ll ever go to culinary school! I wish!
I’ll check some of your cookbook suggestions out, but do you have
any suggestions for me to get some more cooking experience? Thanks!
SDF
April 4, 2008 at 4:50 pmI was reading everybodies comments-and had to agree with the older man! My man’s only 5 years older than me (as opposed to 8) but in maturity we are the same. I’m 21 years old, and boys my age are just that-boys. They love going out to a pub & drinking until they don’t remember anything the next day (which I have never understood to be fun-if you don’t remember anything, what’s the point?).
Although my man and I are not long distance, it feels as though we are since I have an 8-5 job, and he works 5-1 job (I’m an accountant, he’s a server). I can actually see his apartment building from mine, but I see him twice a week if I’m lucky. It’s frustrating but worth every moment we actually spend together
Kat
April 4, 2008 at 4:50 pmHELP!
I cannot seem to find a decent Gluten-Free Vegan cookbook (I know it is a stretch isn’t it?)
I love ED&BV and have made appropriate substitutes in recipes that called for spelt flour etc. but really would love to have an easy GO TO cookbook where I don’t have to figure everything out 🙂
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Kat who used to post as Katherine 🙂
SDF
April 4, 2008 at 4:50 pmThe smily face with sunglasses was an eight
JennS
April 4, 2008 at 5:20 pmstupid question.. but are soba noodles the same as “lo mein”?
Alli W.
April 4, 2008 at 5:21 pmJenna– I cracked up when you logged on under your mom’s name. I was like “Ryan is 8 years older than her MOM???”. Funny funny! Have a great day!
becky
April 4, 2008 at 5:31 pmJenna –
You and Ryan actually changed my perspective a bit. I’m almost 28 and some of my husband’s friends will meet 22/23 year old girls and I give them a hard time. Granted, these girls do not seem nearly as mature as you, but I’ve sort of re-thought my initial judgements because you seem like a completely mature, down to earth 22-year-old that I’d be ok if one of my guy friends dated!
NJ
April 4, 2008 at 5:34 pmHa! Didn’t mean to stir the pot. And while I was joking about the rich Tampa men, I have happily been with my boyfriend for 2 years. He’s 36 and I’m 27 and we work out perfectly… well, so far!
If anything I’m more mature… and have more experience (thanks college!)
ryan
April 4, 2008 at 7:12 pmLets settle this right now, Jenna is much more mature than I am and thats part fo the reason it works so well! I told her from the start I really wasnt in to the idea of dating someone wth that big of an age difference, especially sicne I typically liked women older than me (like 35 Ally, not 50 or 60) , but Jenna and I clicked (even though originally she told me she was an executive at a marketing firm downtown (read: college intern) but I was already interested by the time I figured out she was only 21 at the time. And well I guess I am starting to appear older according to a few people (one person), I still feel 22 !
FYI, on Jenna’s grammar, it is actually very good, but for her blog, she gets way to excited to post for everyone and feels like she is letting people down if she takes her time to get everything perfect from a grammatical standpoint, (we call her Spazola for a reason you know!)
Glad to hear everyone enjoys the blog, I am posting because I can’t do a damn thing workwise with the races going on outside.
PS that car in the picture zooming by Jenna is going about 150 mph, as that was the 5th try getting a pic for the blog.
beachbum_
April 4, 2008 at 7:12 pmKat, I can’t eat gluten either and am also a vegan. I have such a hard time with it. The gluten thing is sort of new to me though and I was wondering what kind of flours you substitute and if you have any good one to make cookies with?? Thanks!
z.
Kat
April 4, 2008 at 10:12 pmbeachbum,
I typically use a mixture of rice flour, buckwheat flour, and gluten free flour (Bob’s Red Mill brand) in place of wheat flour. I also use oat flour because I don’t seem to be sensitive to that small amount of gluten. I just recently started my blog and will be adding recipes to it as I go – I haven’t perfected or even come close to perfecting the right measurements.
Also it is important to use xanathan gum as a binder since that is essentially what gluten does – when i have baked without xanathan gum all I got was crumby cookies/muffins. I use about 1tsp xanathan gum for every cup of flour.
It definately is quite difficult to be a gluten free vegan since most veggie items on menus tend to have wheat! Cooking at home is not hard, but going out for a meal can be quite difficult. I always feel like I am just being picky!
Mom
April 4, 2008 at 10:37 pmAlly ~ I think that it may help if you find an interest of your own…..
Ally
April 4, 2008 at 11:56 pmMom:
I was merely pointing out your daughter’s grammar.
Thanks anyways. 😛
BethT
April 5, 2008 at 12:07 amAlly: anyways is not a word.
Stop posting if you’re so offended! God!
Ally
April 5, 2008 at 12:19 amBeth T:
booo hoo oopps not a word?
Ally
April 5, 2008 at 12:20 amBeth T:
Do not misuse the name of God. Please.
beachbum_
April 5, 2008 at 4:30 amThanks for all the help Kat 🙂