What an amazing day!! (TRADER JOES!!)

Hey girls! Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend, I did for sure. Oh boy, oh boy, it was amazing.

Why was it so amazing?

How about I tell you why…

1. Because pomegranates rock. I love pomegranates! The seeds are good on everything, I swear  

2. I have mastered the ever so daunting split. I got it today!!  (Source)

3. Enjoyed 80 glorious minutes of Dave Farmar yoga. One of my best yoga practices ever! I am SO close to getting crow!

4. New clothes—went to Kohl’s and got some winter clothes, along with the most comfortable pants that I have ever worn. They are perfect for yoga too!

5. Starbucks! Nuff’ said

6. Enjoyed an AMAZING day with my boyfriend yesterday. Gahhh, love him.

7. TRADER JOE’S!!!! A new TJ’S opened up about 10 minutes from my house recently and I just HAD to go there. It was sooo crazy in there! You can barely breathe So worth it thought! (There’s also a new Whole Food’s opening up about 5 minutes from me. Wow, I love where I live!) I loved the low prices of this store! It had AMAZING products, and definitely lived up to all the positive things I’ve heard about it. I could go crazy in there! But I controlled myself. Kinda… (My mom got a few additional things, so there was more bought that’s not pictured here!)

• Three Greek Yogurts (TJ’S brand)
• Peanut butter filled pretzels
• dark chocolate covered cranberries
• 2 larabars (cherry pie and apple pie)
• TJ’S unsalted peanut butter
• Pumpkin butter

 

  Oh my oh my!! Here is one of tonight’s snacks…SO GOOD!   Have I mentioned I love Trader Joe’s? Once or twice? Okay…

8. I was very productive today: took notes on the Iliad, cleaned my room, got everything in order for Drivers Ed… YAY.

Okay, that’s enough positivity for a while, haha, just kidding

More eats from me lately, and they’re all breakfasts. Sorry if you’re bored with that

      Tropical yogurt mess!!

• Key Lime Yogurt
• Pomegranate seeds
• raspberries
• coconut
• warm cinnamon heart to heart kashi cereal
• peanut butter

I LOVE pomegranate in yogurt messes…

 

Saturday morning oatmeal is the best way to start a Saturday, in my opinion

• 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup milk+1/3 cup water+a little more milk
• a whole banana
• butterscotch chips
• raspberries
• Maranatha peanut butter (a lot, hehe)

  

Verse of the Day: Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Wow, that’s a loaded verse. Rejoice in suffering? That sounds quite the contrary to what we’d think. But suffering produces perseverance, and without perseverance, where would we be?

Have a fabulous week everyone!

Off to go do some major commenting catching up!!

<3 jess

xoxo

Quickie Food Post!

Hey ladies!! Hope everyone is having a great week. I definitely am! The homework load this week has been very light, which is a huge blessing considering how much I’ve had over the past month.

I’m currently listen to choir music while frantically trying to memorize verses of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Hopefully I’ll do okay

Basketball is going GREAT! I love my coach, love my team, and am feeling fabulous! I went to the gym last night to get in a strength workout, which felt awesome. I plan on doing another strength workout on Saturday as well.

I have gotten to the point where I do some type of yoga every day. Whether it be a down dog and fixed firm pose or an 80 minute class, I always make time to just stretch. I love yoga so much! I have become SO flexible, which is very cool, especially considering I used to not even be able to touch my toes! I actually figured out that I am so close to being able to a split. How cool is that?! I will definitely take some pictures soon and make them look cool with Windows Live effects.

Here are some quick eats lately…

My review: I really enjoyed this flavor, but I wish the orange flavor was more prominent. All in all, a 8.5/10

I have more to share, but I need to run! Sorry all! But one more thing…

Click on this link—you can make a difference! With just one click

Have a great night everyone!

<3 jess

xoxo

Basketball Begins!

Hey guys!! I’m brimming with happiness right now! Today was the first day of practice and it was fantastic. It felt soooo good! I mean, I practice on my own, but it’s nice to be with a team again I love our schedule too. Very nice! Here’s how my afternoon will typically go:

• 3:15-4:25 –> homework time (which is AWESOME—because I get most of it done!)
• 4:25-4:35 –> change into bball stuff
• 4:35-4:40 –> get there, get ready
• 4:50 –> warm up, get “warm” for practice
• 5:00-6:30 –> practice

The rest of my night really depends on whether I have any homework leftover. It’s so nice to be done with everything and get all ready for the next day by like 8!! It feels so good!

Goals for Basketball/Gym in general:

• Strength Training 3 times a week
• include abs and legs, specifically (I’ll be doing lots of arm work in bball)
• YOGA
• Yoga really is my saving grace
• need the stretching too
• Foam Roller
• I did this tonight and boy, were by my IT bands HARD (if that makes sense…)
• One day of rest
• I’ll be doing a lot of activity, my growing body needs at least one day of rest

Life is good!

Today’s eats were fabulous! But first, let me show you the AMAZING grocery buys which I am SO excited about

• Sugar Cookie Tea
• Odwalla Bar
• Z-bar
• Clif bar—holiday flavor
• Maranatha PB (mmm!)
• pomegranates
• kashi warm cinnamon cereal
• kashi happy trail mix cookies
• kashi dark mocha almond bars
• Chobani Yogurt (Vanilla/Peach)
• Stonyfield Yogurts
• string cheese

There’s more, that’s just all I can remember

  

 

Yesterday’s breakfast was interesting and yummy! We were all out of fresh fruit, except for all these apples!! So I decided to chop up a granny smith apple and put that in my yogurt mess! It was good! Not as good as banana, but still really good!

     “Pumpkin pie yogurt, PB puffins, organic maple brown sugar granola, coconut, raisins, green apple, and peanut butter”

Today’s breakfast had the following:

• Vanilla Chobs
• Kashi Warm Cinnamon Cereal
• Raspberries
• Banana
• Raisins
• DCD (“dark chocolate dreams”—Christina! )

atop anatomy (test today—rocked it!!)

    Today’s lunch was a peanut butter sandwich, all natural veggie chips, and an organic apple The pre-bball snack was an odwalla bar and some un-pictured almonds!

Verse of the Day:

“and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus”

This. verse. rocks. Jesus was the sacrifice for US. We don’t deserve it, he’s overflowing with grace.

Have a great night everyone!! I’m off to get some commenting done

<3 jess

xoxo

Happy Halloween!

 What foods do you think of when you hear “Happy Halloween?”

Spooky Smores Z-bar? Spiced Pumpkin Pie Clif Bar? (deeelicious)   Maybe it’s a pumpkin pie yogurt mess?   No, I know what it is. It’s definitely a bowl of pumpkin oatmeal. Topped with agave, raisins, coconut, brown sugar, and dark chocolate peanut butter.

  At least that’s what I think of

• 1/3 cup oats+1/3 cup both water and milk
• 1 banana
• ~1/3 cup pumpkin
• agave
• brown sugar
• coconut
• dark chocolate chips
• DCD

Incredible!!

Anyways…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Halloween!! (Source)

I am one lucky girl! Not only did I win Emily’s giveaway about a week ago, but I also just won Meg’s giveaway too! I am ecstatic and very happy!

P.S I plan on having a giveaway shortly. I’m still concocting it

The wonderful people from Xagave were very quick to send me my “prize pack” after I won Emily’s giveaway!

  

  There are SO many amazing recipes in the recipe book! I cannot wait to try many of them!! Thanks again Emily!

Although I’ve only tried this product once, on my oatmeal, it was fantastic!! Added the perfect sweetness!

I also received the two of the new POM flavors (pomegranate kiwi, and pomegranate nectarine!)  from the amazing people from POM wonderful. I received two of the flavors of the Pom X iced coffee! (Chocolate and Cafe au Lait)

• Honestly, they are all sooo good! I have not tried the Cafe au Lait yet, but my friend had one of the samples and really enjoyed it! She also loved the Chocolate flavor! It’s very chocolate-y!! Kinda like choc. milk?
• Both of the new flavors are fabulous as well! I love how fruity they are. I plan on using half of one to make fruity oatmeal…

Thanks to the people from POM! They are sooo wonderful!!

Fitness

Today’s workout, in addition to some basketball action, was a great one!!

• 5 minute warm up on the stationary bike
• Leg Work
• Hip Abduction: 8 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Hip Adduction: 8 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Calves: 3 sets of 12 (175 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (55 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (75/85 pounds)
• Leg Press: 4 sets of 10 (130 pounds)
• Wall Squat held for 2 minutes
• Wall squats with exercise ball: 3 sets of 15
• Knee Strengthening Exercises
• Ab Work:
• 30 second plank, 30 second side plank, 30 second side plank
• REPEAT with another 30 second plank to end with
• side planks with toe hold
• leg extensions
• torso twist: 3 sets of 15 (15 pounds)
• other random ab work thrown in there too!
• Arm Work
• tricep work+shoulder work (too tired to really remember!! Haha!)
• pushups, for example
• 15 minute stationary bike
• Yoga/Stretching/Foam Roller

Twas a great workout, that’s for sure!!

Post-workout was a new fabulous sandwich combo! It was: 2 slices of Ezekiel 4:9 cinnamon raisin bread (<3) spread with DCD and coconut. Oh my it was heavenly! Dinner tonight was scrumptious!! I don’t have any pictures, but it was a stir-fry consisting of brown rice, soy sauce, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, green bell pepper, snap peas, and chicken. Very green and very healthy and balanced. The perfect dinner!

White rice was also made for some of my family, so the leftovers were used to make homemade rice pudding. I just had to have a little I topped mine with raisins, cinnamon, and dark chocolate chips <3

My family and I took a trip to the Bookstore tonight and while I sipped on a Chai Tea Latte, and got hit on , I found Food, Inc. which I am SO excited to read! My parents are interested too! (I had an organic apple tonight as well, which is atop the book, lol.)

Another random Greek yogurt mess…   

Verse of the Day: Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Have a great night everyone! Enjoy that extra hour!

<3 jess

xoxo

I am alive.

Hey all!! I’m SO SORRY to have been gone for so long—five days to be exact. Well, two of them being the choir trip. Speaking of it, it um, was interesting. But it’s over and that’s all that matters

The snacks came in handy and boy, Larabars are fantastic. I haven’t found a single one that I don’t like!

I was planning on posting sooner, but this week kinda went out of control. School got insane for a few days, but I managed through it and tonight had virtually no homework. I also got my report card—All A+’s except for two A’s in art and choir. So, needless to say I’m very proud of the work this quarter! My current GPA is 4.2, weighted. I had a HUGE Biology test today, covering 7 sections. I got a 99.4! I think it definitely helps to start studying sooner rather than later!

Enough about me…

How have y’all been? I’ve commented on a few blogs today, but my Google reader is still quite astounding I should catch up tomorrow.

Man, configuring Drivers Ed around my hectic schedule is crazyyyy! Right now I am on the waiting list for a Christmas break class, but if that doesn’t work out, I think I will have to take it on January Saturdays. Which will be okay, because it still gives me enough time to take the driving part before my birthday. Goodness, Jessica, BREATHE.

Breakfasts are my favorite meal of the day, and my favorite to make/photograph. Yummm…

 

 

I’m not going to overload you with any more breakfast photos… I’ll share more soon!

Things I have been loving in my greek yog mess’ as shown above:

• coconut
• pumpkin pie yogurt
• raisins
• peanut butters

I’m very excited because…

I start basketball on Monday!!

This year my bball schedule is a little different. My school is having a “building year” when it comes to varsity girls basketball, so we will only have three practices most weeks, and only a total of 7 games. I really think I will like it! I met the coach and wow, very intense. But low key and sweet all at the same time. I think (actually I KNOW) I will end up loving him!!

Giveaways…

The amazing Meg is also having a fabulous giveaway! Check it out here.

An Apple a Day is having a GREAT giveaway as well! Check it out here.

I’ve also never gotten the chance to spread the word about Katie’s blog! It’s a great on and she’s always brimming with positivity. Very photogenic as well,

Well, I think it’s time to wrap this post up. Have a great night everyone!! Come back tomorrow/Saturday (whenever I end up posting, probs Saturday) for a REVIEW post for some POM-wonderful products and info about a new product I just received

<3 jess

xoxo

I’m off!

To see the wizard

Just wanted to say that I am off tomorrow morning at 6:00 for a festival with my choir. I will be gone until 9 PM on Sunday night, and my week is CRAZYYYY so this is definitely adding to the stress, but my friends and I are going to study at the hotel/bus/etc. Study party!

Here’s the goodies (minus a few clif bars!) that I’m bringing!

• 2 spooky smores z-bar (SO good!)
• Coconut Cream Pie Larabar
• 2 odwalla bars (chocolate chip peanut butter and mocha-walla)
• Additional Clif bar (cool mint chocolate, for one!)

• Puffins for $2.14!!!!

• Annie’s Chocolate Bunny Grahams
• Sweet Berry Stride

 

I really hope this weekend goes well and that I will not be TOO exhausted come Monday morning.

Gotta run—need to pack!!

Have a great weekend and I can’t wait to be able to catch up with you all!

<3 jess

xoxo

Pumpkin Pancakes

Original title, yes?

Happy Tuesday! I have enjoyed my Fall break for sure—got to sleep in!! I also got lots done, including ~70 notecards! If I do around 10 a night, I’ll be all set. Phew!! I also finished my Iliad reading that is due tomorrow. So all in all, a nice and productive weekend. Not very relaxing, but productive

All I have to do it get through this weekend! Halloween weekend is going to be relaxing, that’s for sure! I’m not doing anything, except being with my family. It’s a  tradition, that on Halloween nights, my family goes to the bookstore and gets some starbucks and a book. I hope I can find In Defense of Food. Really want that!

Fitness

My workout left my legs very tired. Gotta love that, right?

• Stationary Bike Warm-up
• Leg Work
• Hip Abduction: 10 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (55 pounds)
• Hip Adduction: 10 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Calves: 3 sets of 12 (180/200 pounds)
• Leg Press: 4 sets of 10 (130 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (75/85 pounds)
• Wall Squat held for 2 minutes –> personal goal!!
• Knee Strengthening Exercises
• Wall Squats with Exercise Ball: 3 sets of ~15
• Side Planks thrown in there! I experimented with grabbed my foot when in side plank…like this! I can pretty much do it. Still need to work on it though!
• 25 intense minutes spent on the exercise bike
• Foam Roller/Stretching

It was a great workout! I think I’m going to do some P90X (arms) and ab work tomorrow

Food

I made Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancakes today and MAN OH MAN, were they winners! They were absolutely fantastic. My brothers loved them too! Major plus I made some with dark chocolate chips and that just sent it above and beyond amazing. Haha, trust me, you need to try these!  

I had three (plus another one plain afterwards!!) topped with bee’s knees and REAL maple syrup. Deeeelicious. <3

Today’s lunch is what powered me through my awesome workout!

A panini-ed flat out wrap of ham and provolone, a side of Kashi crackers, and an oikos honey greek yogurt with organic maple and brown sugar granola <3     Another great lunch I had…     That salad had:

• romaine
• broc
• cucumbers
• egg
• mushrooms
• artichoke hearts
• chickpeas
• olives
• drizzle of caesar
• mango
• strawberry
• tuna salad

Mmm!

A blogger favorite… (it needs no explanation!)   

KIND BAR+Organic KEY LIME yogurt=pretty much fruity-flavor heaven!  

This stuff is pretty much the bomb~so creamy!!  

And last in terms of food, but certainly not least: This weeks buysss!  

Verse of the Day: Luke 6:27-29

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.

I won Emily’s Xagave giveaway! YAYYY!

I love you all! You guys are the best Have a great rest of your week!

<3 jess

xoxo

Miniature Yogurt Mess’s are FUN!

Hello all! I’ve missed you guys! I have been doing the same old, same old…

• studying
• babysitting
• Library run where I ended up getting 9 books for my year-long research paper
• boyfriend visits
• gym
• and some relaxation, but sadly not nearly enough

I haven’t been able to really relax yet! I still have two days, but considering that I have ~60 more note cards to do, that isn’t looking like a realistic possibility. I also have a latin test to study for, and Iliad reading due. I have not had ONE weekend that I have just been able to seriously relax. And this one won’t be any different—my choir is going to a festival and that takes up ALL of my Saturday and Sunday. We’re not going to talk about that But hopefully the weekend after this upcoming one, aka Halloween, will be a good, relaxing one! It better be.

AHHH I NEED TO RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I feel better now.

Food

I just ate this as a snack, and it was fabulous! It was a mini greek yogurt mess:

• 1 container lemon stonyfield organic yogurt (10 for $5!!!)
• Bear Naked FIT Granola
• Raisins
• Small bit of Bee’s Knees

I’ve seriously been loving these two jars lately… Here’s my breakfast I had this morning—2 slices of Ezekiel 4:9 bread, each topped with peanut butter. On the side was some grapes and a scrambled egg. Very balanced

• Protein? Check.
• Carbs? Check.
• Fat? Check.

Another yummy meal…

  Probably my favorite Larabar? (Cherry Pie!)

Pre-workout snack!

Fitness

I had yet another great workout today! I just loooveee exercising! It makes me feel fantastic!

• Stationary bike as warm up, per usual
• Leg Work:
• Hip Abduction: 8 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Hip Adduction: 8 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Calves: 3 sets of 12 (175 pounds)
• Leg Press: 3 sets of 10 (130 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (70 pounds)
• Wall squat held for 100 seconds
• Knee Strengthening Exercises
• Exercise Ball-Wall Squats (love these!)
• Ab Work:
• 1 minute of Russian Twists with medicine ball (with legs up in air)
• Repeat
• 30 second side plank on each side
• Repeat
• 50 straight crunches on exercise ball
• 20 minutes of biking (over 6 miles)
• Foam Roller and Stretching

Verse of the Day (found here): Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Have a great night everyone! Don’t expect a post tomorrow—expect lots of commenting

<3 jess

xoxo

Busy Bee. PSAT!

Get the rhyming?! Pretty proud of that Especially considering my brain is pretty fried. I am exhausted! I am lucky that tomorrow is a half day, and I have Monday and Tuesday OFF. Oh, man is this needed. But I still have to do ~80 note cards over the weekend and babysit twice. Both my choice, of course Well, the note cards are due in two weeks but I am not about to make 100 the night before!!

I’m sorry for not posting the last few days. I have just had so much to do! Between the PSAT on Wednesday, getting ready for a Biology quiz, reading the Iliad, and getting ready for a Latin test tomorrow, my nights are filled with homework and studying! Gahh, but since the quarter officially ends tomorrow, it should start to slow down. Or so I hope…

The PSAT went really well! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, but by no means a piece of cake! There were words on there that I had never heard of and no Latin derivative could help me with

I am really proud of myself for how hard I have worked this quarter! I know I have all A’s, which is a good feeling. What I love about high school (one of the things, at least!) is that there is an actual goal now. It starts with a “c” and ends with “ollege.” I can’t say that something doesn’t matter, because everything does (to a point)!

Fitness

I had a fantabulous workout this afternoon! Here’s what I did:

• 4 minute warm up on the bike
• Leg Strength
• Calve: 3 sets of 15 (160 pounds)
• Hip Adduction: 8 sets of 10 (two sets of eight thrown in there) (150 pounds)
• Hip Abduction: 8 sets of 10 (150 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (70 pounds)
• Leg Press: 3 sets of 10 (130 pounds)
• Ab Work
• 30 second low plank
• 30 second right side side plank
• 30 second left-side side plank
• 30 second high (in yoga terms) plank
• 30 second side plank
• 30 second side plank
• REPEAT high plank work
• Lower ab work
• 1 minute exercise ball side to side
• 20 minutes elliptical
• Stretch

I have been trying to include a good amount of variety, whether it be yoga, P90X workouts, or going to the gym. Variety is key in a good workout routine

Food

Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day! Yum yum! So many possibilities…

    

 

 

 

Too much Some of this…

 

Verse of the day: (James 1:2-4)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, know…ing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

This verse freaking rocks. nuff’ said!

Have a great night everyone!! Love you!!

<3 jess

xoxo

When in doubt, Charlie out.

Happy Monday, all! Hope everyone’s weekend was good. Mine certainly was! I got pretty much all my work done, which felt good.

This week is the last week of the quarter—eeek! I cannot believe I’m already through 1/4 of the year. High school really does FLY by!

I need to show you guys what my mom had waiting for me when I got home on Saturday. She had been grocery shopping and got me some special items   I was fortunate enough to find the Spooky Smores Z-bar! Mmm, twas delicious! But it didn’t taste all that much different than the others—but who cares. It’s all about the fall season and wrapping!  

  I had a delicious bowl of oatmeal on Sunday morning. So good!

• 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup+a little more water, 1/3 cup milk
• cinnamon
• banana
• strawberries
• coconut
• DCD <3

   I definitely think I need to switch to 1/2 cup of oats—1/3 cup is too small, I think!

Dinner on Sunday night, which functioned as both dinner and a post-workout meal, was a yogurt mess with the following:

• 1 container fat free black cherry organic yogurt
• Pumpkin Raisin Crunch Granola
• Dark Chocolate Almond Granola
• Crunchy Almond Oat Cereal
• Honey Nut cheerios
• strawberries
• peanut butter

Yes, I used four different kinds of cereals  

Other eats…  

A fabulous breakfast—1/2 banana and strawberries with DCD, and an egg with provolone on whole wheat English muffin. Perfectly balanced breakfast

NOTE: I don’t know why, probably because of the lighting, but these photos aren’t the best  

Pretty, huh? 

Fitness

Today I had a lovely yoga workout. I did 45 (although it’s really almost 50) minutes of Yoga for Runners, followed by (20 minutes) of Incredible Abs. (Love that!!) Felt great and was very relaxing and my whole body felt like it got a workout

By the way, the title of this post is in reference to multiple choice tests, which I had this morning.  But it went very well, so I didn’t have to worry about Charlie-ing out

Verse of the day: Psalm 120

In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.

Whenever I am struggling, I know that I can call out to the Lord and He will always help me get through hard times <3

I’m off to have a snack—my tummy’s grumbling! Have a great week everyone!

<3 jess

xoxo