Breakfast/ Lunch

Too Tired

Wow, I really couldn’t get up this morning πŸ™

I couldn’t fall asleep last night and then when I woke up this morning I knew I should take a rest day from the gym. Working out really makes my day a WHOLE lot better, but when you don’t sleep….it’s not worth killing your body over. I get asked all the time how many days a week I work out and the answer is that it really just varies. Usually 5-6 because I’ll take one rest day during the workweek and one rest day on the weekend when I’m with Ryan. Sleep is so important though and you will just make yourself sick if you keep pushing yourself when you are sleep deprived.

Anyways–about school last night! We did finally bake all those pies I’ve been telling yall about now for days. SO many pies! I let my partner keep all but one of the chocolate peanut butter ones, because I promised I would bring that into work today. We made 2 chocolate peanut butter pies, 2 apple custard pies, 1 pecan pie and 2 fruit tarts using pastry cream. Whew! Tonight we are making three apple pies and then tomorrow night it’s time for another practical!

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This morning, because I didn’t work out, I got stuff done around the house like laundry, lunch packing and cooking for tonight. When I have time, I like to prepare dinner ahead of time and put it in the fridge because it cuts down on stress in the evening when I have only 30 minutes from the time I get home from work to the time I go to school.

This morning I made a bowl of oatmeal using 1 cup of soy milk, 1 banana, some almond butter and maple syrup. I never feel like hot cereal after I’ve come in from a sweaty workout, so this morning it was perfect! Oh…and I have a bad confession to make! I’m back in a coffee rut πŸ™ I just couldn’t help myself….I know caffeine is bad for our bodies but I’m so pooped in the morning! Bad Jenna.

this picture isn’t coming out for some reason! Sorry guys!
Here’s what I packed in my lunchbox today:

some more of that yummy soup! This time in the Lentil variety. I heard this kind is good and the soups were 2 for $3 at Whole Foods last week so I just had to grab a couple. That split pea kept me full for HOURS and this lentil one actually has more protein (18 grams), so hopefully it will do the same.

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a nice juicy red pear

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a small container of veggie chips

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And…later for a snack—what I had planned yesterday but didn’t eat because I had papaya salad instead. 2 brown rice cakes and some grapes.

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Happy Thursday!

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  • sweet basil
    April 10, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    jenna–do you try the pastries you make in your class? i was watching top chef last night and the “quick fire challenge” was to test the competitors paletes. according to the chef judges, the best chef will know how their product tastes. i suppose i am just curious as to how you reconcile the desire to have a good product with your dietary preferences.

    i’d love to hear your opinion, as i love cooking for others and play with the idea of opening a cafe someday–but i also have dietary preferences that differ from those of my family and friends.

  • Kristin
    April 10, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Those pastries look fantastic! Amazing work!

    I love that lentil soup; it’s a really easy work meal and it’s so thick and lentil-y… it def. keeps me full longer than ANY other soup! Hope you like it!

    And we all need a break from working out every now and again. Enjoy your rest time!

  • jenna
    April 10, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    Sweet basil,

    No, I don’t try the pastries because they are usually loaded with dairy. We are taught at school that a good pastry chef doesn’t need to try what he/she makes because we know the quality of the ingredients we are using and, therefore, know the expected outcome. Its much more scientific than cooking and doesn’t require a “taste as you go”!

  • Julz
    April 10, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    Beautiful. Just beautiful! I can’t say enough about how much fruit appeals to my eyes… The colors are so fresh and springy πŸ™‚

    I love how you share your pastries with us too! And it’s IMPORTANT to hear that it is tiring and not so glamorous all the time… Despite that these works of art look so dainty and extravagant! (At the same time no doubt)

    Enjoy your day Pretty Lady! The weekend will be here before we know it πŸ™‚

  • Mom
    April 10, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    THOSE FRUIT TARTS ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!!!! THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND YUMMY!!

  • Rebecca
    April 10, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Nicole R,

    Thank you so so much for your detailed answer πŸ™‚ It was so helpful and I really appreciate it! I am sure once I am out of college and working, I will wish I had my college schedule again, but right now, it seems college is busy enough! Thanks again!

  • jenna
    April 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    Oh! and going off of that for a moment, my partner and friend in class is severely ( and I mean SEVERELY) allergic to nuts, gluten, certain fruits, dairy, chocolate……everything really…and she is very successful! She’s worked as a baker/pastry chef for a while now and is one of the best in my class. Just shows you don’t have to actually eat the product you make!

  • Rebecca
    April 10, 2008 at 1:04 pm

    Jenna (and if anyone else has helpful advice),

    Like you, I am a dessert person. I must have dessert every night. i am at a healthy weight, so it’s not calories, but I would like to be wait to eat it later in the evening since I am usually up late. You are really good about saving your dessert until later in the evening at school. How do you wait? I am usually not hungry after dinner, but until I eat my cookie or ice cream sandwhich, etc I am just not satisfied. I know tea, but as a dessert lover, I think you can realate that tea does not equal dessert!

    Similarly, any desserty type tea that are good? Some taste horrible!

  • nicole r.
    April 10, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    Hey jenna–

    Don’t feel so bad about coffee!!! Caffeine is known to have amazing antioxidant properties, and research is strongly supporting its anticarcinogenic effect. Additionally, it seems to enhance the process by which the liver detoxifies chemicals etc that we ingest!! Those antiox properties of green tea, red wine, and chocolate are found in coffee, but interestingly only that which is still caffeinated!! So don’t be too worried πŸ™‚

    Ps your pies look lovely

  • VeggieGirl
    April 10, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Sleep is definitely important – glad you gave yourself the extra “zzz’s” that you needed!! And besides – it sounds like you still got a little workout, with your chores around the house :0)

    Those tarts!!! Perfection!!! Excellent work as always, Jenna.

    Enjoy your Thursday!!

  • Cara
    April 10, 2008 at 1:34 pm

    Wow those look impressive. Good job!

  • Romina
    April 10, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    Happy Thursday!
    You are AMAZING with pastries! I think the last one is my fave. =)

    It’s good you’re listening to your body, you shouldn’t work out if you know it won’t do you any good, besides, tomorrow is another day.

  • Nat
    April 10, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    Your pastries look amazing, as usual. Don’t be hard yourself, nothing wrong a cup of joe here and there. πŸ™‚

    Can anyone recommend a good state school? I’m trying to figure out where I want to study at for my last semester of college.

    Thanks!

  • Nat
    April 10, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    Can you tell that I haven’t had MY COFFEE YET? Ha ha. Ooo typos!

    There should be an edit comments buttons. πŸ˜‰

    Your pastries look amazing, as usual. Don’t be hard ON yourself, nothing wrong WITH a cup of joe here and there.

  • sweet basil
    April 10, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    I suppose that it makes sense that you wouldn’t eat it because you know the scientific “equation” for the particular baked goods–I guess I’ve just always assumed that if the chef should be passionate about the product. Does that make sense?

    Regardless, they look beautiful, even if you dont know how they taste.

  • Mandy
    April 10, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Hey Jenna!
    Last night, on the food network the world pastry championships were on! Of course I had to think of you! The pastries were absolutely amazing! I won’t tell who won, in case you catch a re-run later. But I have to say, your pastries and pies are definately out of a cook book – they look mouthwatering!!
    Haha I have to keep myself from looking at your pages too much during work, because it just makes me want to have some!
    Have a great day!

  • Kristie
    April 10, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    Your pastries look SCRUMPTIOUS.
    I’m super impressed with your ability not to sample, take them all home etc. I don’t think I would have the will power for that!

  • Betsy
    April 10, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    wow-those look sooo amazing. the fruit ones. and the pecan. and the apple…oh, hell. i want them all!!!! and they’re all so pretty. i’m very very very impressed.

  • LolaFunk
    April 10, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    Oh.My.God.
    Those look amazing!
    The fruit tarts are so pretty and colorful, and that apple thing looks so perfect! <3

  • erica
    April 10, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    I can’t get over how professional and gorgeous your pastries look. You’re so fabulous and talented Jenna!!

  • arimcg
    April 10, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    The pies look beautiful. I want to say I’d pick the fruit, but I go for chocolate peanut butter every time!

  • Serena
    April 10, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    I agree with everyone who has pointed out that there are reasons why coffee (in moderate amounts) can actually have health benefits. I don’t drink it every day but I do love a cup of coffee or a latte every now and then (especially w/ soy milk, which makes it kind of nutty tasting).

    I just read Skinny Bitch and I know those girls think coffee is evil. I’m curious about what others who have read that book think about it – it definitely is forcing me to think about a lot of things differently and I agree that a diet free of meat, dairy, refined sugar and chemicals may be ideal in a lot of ways, but it’s also difficult (for me anyway) to eat that way 100% of the time and I don’t like the idea of feeling guilty about drinking coffee eating cheese or ice cream or healthy salmon occasionally, especially times when I’m on vacation or otherwise not in control of what’s being served. I guess I feel like if I try to make the best choices most of the time, our resiliant bodies will be able to still be healthy despite the occasional processed food. I’m really curious about what other people think though.

  • Diana
    April 10, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Those fruit tarts are my favorite. Yours are beautiful. When I was living as stressfully as you are now (working, going to school, regular weekend trips, living alone) they were the one comfort food I couldn’t resist, and sustained me through many a lonely night (sad). So, when are you going to develop a healthier, vegan version for us (and your mom!)?

  • kh
    April 10, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    Hi Serena,
    I read this blog alot but haven’t commented before! I’ve just finished Skinny Bitch too and am feeling a bit conflicted. I found a lot of the views they put forth in that book interesting and thought provoking. I enjoy eating healthily, trying new things and cooking vegetarian/vegan recipies. However, I’ve been living abroad for a couple of years and do tons of traveling and eating out so I want to still be able to enjoy that and trying local foods. Particularlly when traveling with others would not want to have to steer restaurant choices towards my food preferences. I am not sure what I will do, I don’t think I could completely give up fish / cheese / dairy but I’m a little horrified right now by some of the things I learned from reading that book.
    Anyway, interesting to hear that someone else is having similar thoughts!
    Jenna- since I’ve never commented before, I think you do a great job on the blog– love reading it!

  • bikergurl
    April 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Amazing, as always!

    I also can’t wait untol you start develpoing your own recipes and sharing them with us! (hopefully!)

    I also love how you don’t feel you have to taste everything! I think I would cave… I love treats πŸ™‚

  • Emily #2(haha)
    April 10, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    I agree about the coffee. I tried to go off it and was recommended to by my doctor, and I did for a few weeks and felt ok, but I was really tired in the morning and just didn’t have that extra burst of energy to get me going. Honestly a cup of coffee is fine, it’s when you’re dependent on it all day that it’s based. I really missed the one cup and feel much better with it now! Go for it. You can’t believe everything in books like skinny bitch!

  • Serena
    April 10, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    Thanks for commenting, kh – it is really good to know other people feel conflicted after reading that book!

  • VTgirl
    April 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    I HAD to chime in my two cents about the coffee subject!! I, too, read Skinny Bitch and tried SO hard to give up coffee. I ended up giving it up, and went a good 2 weeks without it, but I MISSED it. I truly enjoy the taste of coffee, the smell of it, and the caffeine jolt I get from it! I love all the different ways you can customize coffee and all the variations that it comes in. Coffee is only bad for you if you are drinking EXTREME amounts of it. Even people (like me) who have a cup or two a day are fine, you only live once and you have to indulge each day in what makes you happy! Coffee makes me happy and thats why I continue to drink it. Plus as someone mentioned above, there ARE actually a lot of health benefits that come from drinking coffee, just google it and you will see! So Jenna, totallyyy don’t feel bad for having some a couple of mornings! You do soooooo well all of the time that it’s no problem! πŸ™‚

  • kristin point
    April 11, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    I was conflicted about reading skinny bitch as well. I decided to take what I liked and what works for me from the book. I can’t and won’t give up coffe because it has health benefits and I truely love it. A cup of coffee with vanilla soymilk every morning adds to my “morning expeprience” and makes me happy.

    Also I don’t agree with all the fake meat and cheese advocated in the book. I no longer eat meat and I steer away from dairy but I’m not vegan, but I’d rather have a bit of real cheese than processed stuff. I eat fake meats but I don’t base my diet around them like the book advocates to.

    To sum it up I loved the book but some of the advice just didn’t work for me.

  • kh
    April 11, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    kristin point-thanks for your comment. I think I want to read more about some of the topics in that book and make sure I am seeing all sides of the issues. I think I’ll definately keep eating some cheese and dairy but I might see if I can research the sources better. I live in Ireland right now and the EU system is a bit stricter as far as I know about animal treatment/farm standards.
    Also I love coffee too! I look forward to it so much in the morning when I have to get up and go to work.