Larabars & Literature

Today began with a great start. I had my British Literature course at the college and we discussed "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." I wasn't so sure about this course because of it being such old literature, but I'm growing to enjoy it. I also have a fabulous professor, so that only adds to the enjoyment.

After class ended I went to lunch with a friend downtown. We tried a local deli shop that neither of us had been to. It was quite a successful trip; I daresay I will go there again. I had a turkey sandwhich on wheat bread and some form of dessert that consisted of chocolate pudding, cream cheese, pie crust, and other ingredients that I can't recall at present. I'm trying to eat better, but sometimes a treat like that can't be turned down.

Also while downtown, my friend and I stopped in a local health food store to buy Larabars. If you are ever in search of a snack bar but don't want all of the unfortunate additives, buy Larabar. They are unprocessed, raw, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, kosher, and contain no added sugar. The flavors I bought today are Peanut Butter Cookie, Coconut Cream Pie, Cherry Pie, and Chocolate. They are THE BEST snack bars that I've ever eaten, hands down. They also contain a daily serving of fruit, so you can't go wrong there! I can't congratulate them enough. I would visit the Larabar website and check them out, and then run to your local health food or grocery store to pick some up!



I also finished reading Pride & Prejudice, a task that I have been on since mid-December. I had been reading other books in the process, but P&P was a challenge for me. I used to fall asleep to the movie version every night (for nearly two years), so getting through the book version was difficult. But I managed to get through the story unharmed and with a greater appreciate for Jane Austen. I am trying to read works of British author's whose worlds I will be visiting come May. The next challenge: King Lear. We are going to the Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear while in Stratford Upon Avon, so I thought it only appropriate to become more familiar with the play.

I ate a simple yet delicious dinner this evening. I had a salad consisting of spinach, carrots, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, and balsamic/vinegar dressing. I also had a smoothie consisting of fat-free strawberry yogurt, raspberries, blueberries, oats, and Almond Breeze milk. Both were delightful and I highly recommend such a meal, or even the smoothie on its own for a snack.

I suppose that is all for today. I have to work on a short story for Creative Writing and get some sleep. Working in morning.

Cheers!


What is your favorite healthy snack?

Let's get it started!

I suppose it's high time I actually start writing on this dear blog of mine. I have been considering the idea of a blog for a few years, and I think now is the time.

I want to begin by saying that there is no specific rhyme or reason to this blog other than my various ponderings. It is likely that the subjects of literature and writing will come up quite often, as those are two things I am most passionate about. Harry Potter may end up being a frequent topic in regards to the literature aspect, but I'll do my best to discuss what I'm presently reading rather than something I happen to be obsessed with.

You will also find food and nutritional talk on this blog. I have recently started getting into the swing of living a healthy lifestyle, and the swing will be in full force once I can commit myself fully to the kitchen and away from the evils of sit-down restaurants. I have won the fight against vending machines these past few months, but the next (and more vicious) battle is with restaurant eating. I will post various recipes I have made from cookbooks and people's blogs (Iowa Girl Eats is a personal favorite), as well as some recipes I come up with in due course.

There is also going to be some British talk on this blog. I am going on a two-week trip to England in May and am getting rather excited for it to put it lightly. I will likely be posting some information on that as well as photos once I return home. I would love to say that I'll post as I'm traveling, but I have no intention of sitting online when the time there is precious. I told a coworker that I would try to bring Prince William home for her, so I can't possibly achieve that mission if I'm online!


I think it only appropriate to provide a bit of information about myself before I close out for the evening...

My name is Jenna and I am a twenty-two year-old living in North Dakota. I am a student across the river in Minnesota, pursuing an English major with an emphasis in writing. After college it is my hope/goal to get my foot in the door of a publishing company, but until that day comes I am a full-time employee at a health-related company. I think it only appropriate that I don't go into too many details with my job, but I will share that I love it and it has inspired the healthy lifestyle I am presently pursuing. It's quite a gift when you can have a job and learn a lot in the process!

As I said before, I am a lover of literature. For a full list of what I've read, visit my Goodreads website. My top five authors are J.D. Salinger, J.K. Rowling, Ian McEwan, Philippa Gregory, and Bernhard Schlink. I am also big on writing and helping other people with their writing. I'm no professional by any means, but I'm always willing to help when asked. I'll get into literature and writing more another day.

Another passion of mine is traveling, though being a poor college student I don't do it as much as I'd like. As I mentioned before, I will be having a two-week flirtation with England come May, which is quite literally a dream come true for me. I visited France in 2006 as well as many U.S. cities/states and Canada over the years. France and England were the two main places I wanted to see before I die, so getting those in before twenty-five feels like a gift of sorts. I will post various photos from my trips as time carries on.

There is a lot more that I could say, but I think I have the basics down for tonight. I finished the most delicious grilled salmon earlier for dinner, complete with various vegetables (asparagus, carrots, celery, and mushrooms). Afterwards, I settled at Barnes and Noble for a short time to read my current project, Pride & Prejudice, before returning home to write my first blog. I daresay that my evening was rather satisfactory.

I hope you enjoyed the first read and I look forward to writing more tomorrow.

Cheers!