Krispy Kremes + Core Synergy

Clearly, both have a lot in common, right? 😉 It was the usual day of madness for me on this Monday, but I mixed in a Krispy Kreme-like treat and a workout that blows all other workouts out of the water. More on that later!

I woke up around 6:30 this morning to get ready for work. I also wanted to make sure I allowed enough time for a good breakfast, since I struggled with that last week due to one too many hits on the snooze button. I started by whipping up some scrambled egg whites. I cooked three real egg whites + 1/2 cup spinach + 1 oz. fat free feta cheese on the stove.

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With the eggs, I also had a container of Fage topped with 1/2 banana.

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It was a little change of pace from the oats/cereal, which was nice!

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I brought a mug of Coffee Cocoa with me on the snow-filled drive.

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Work went by pretty fast today. I did some proofreading and some recipe checking, so it kept me busy as I worked back and forth between the two. But what I was really looking forward to was cracking open this package of joy:

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After hearing a rave review from K, I knew that I was in for a treat with the new Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut flavor. Here, just take a look and see for yourself.

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I’ve got two words for you: Krispy Kreme! I swear to goodness, that is what this tasted like when I took my first bite: a creamy glazed donut. Maybe that’s not appealing to some of you, but it brought back such good memories! Once I got further into it, I realized it was probably the buttery taste that K was talking about. I could definitely also compare this bar to a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie. It wasn’t artificial tasting AT ALL, which is usually not the case. If you see it in a store near you, try it! Of course, make sure you like white chocolate macadamia nut first – otherwise, don’t blame me 😉 It’s a bit on the sweet side, but overall an A+ for taste! Yeah, I’m cheesy.

After marveling at the Clif bar, I got home and made myself a bit more to eat.

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Nothing too fancy, but it helped fill me up for good. I steamed a bag of brussel sprouts in the microwave and topped them with pepper, onion powder, chili powder and 1 tbsp. Annie’s Smokey Maple BBQ Sauce. Around the edges, I added about 3 oz. of deli turkey.

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Then it was time for me and Tony Horton to get pumpin’! Today was my first day of the P90X system. For the next 90 days (and beyond), you will hear me talk a lot about it, so hopefully the information I provide will be helpful! I have to say that so far, I am thoroughly impressed with this program. Tony is completely cool and the opposite of Richard Simmons. He really motivated me and helped me push myself when I wanted to give up. These workout DVDs are not easy, and I know I’m going to be sore in the morning!

Today’s workout was Core Synergistics. It was roughly 1 hour long and focused on strengthening multiple muscle groups to build and support core muscles. I can’t provide too much detail here because I paid for it and I’m sure they wouldn’t want me spilling all of their secrets. But essentially, we worked through a series of lunges, squats, push-ups and abdominal moves until we achieved muscle failure (in other words, I could not eke out another rep because I was wiped).

By the time I was finished, I was covered in sweat and feeling as though I worked as hard as I would on any old cardio machine. That was the best moment for me because I typically don’t feel I’ve gotten enough of a workout without getting on a cardio machine. I am looking forward to continuing the program in the coming weeks, and will be sure to share some Before & After statistics and (possibly) photographs with you when it’s over!

Whew! Just typing all of that out makes me even more excited about it 🙂 After I finished the workout, I cleaned up and made myself a snack: 1 tbsp. peanut butter on top of a rice pudding cup.

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Then I got to work on some chores that I should have done this weekend, but put off until today.  I started a load of laundry, sorted through some mail and did a little homework. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner. I had planned something at home but then my roomie made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: Cosi!

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I received a gift card to Cosi for Christmas (yes, my extended family sends me a lot of food-related gift cards, haha!) so I was psyched to go there. I had another go at the new Cosi Duo menu. This time I opted for the soup of the day: Beef with Winter Garden Vegetable.

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And the Tomato Basil Mozzarella on Etruscan Whole Grain Bread.

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I love that sandwich so much! And as you can see from the first picture, they now offer a side of yet another slice of Cosi bread! How awesome is that? I nibbled on 1/4 of it and brought the rest home for later. Any chance for more bread is a chance I’m taking, you can count on that!

Random Question

Do you have any body “quirks” such as being double jointed, etc.?

I came up with this question as I was absentmindedly moving my double jointed pinky 🙂 It really grosses my mom out because it looks like it’s popping all over the place. I can also touch my tongue to the tip of my nose. It’s an inherited quirk from my mom’s side of the family!

“See” you tomorrow! Oh, and if you’re anywhere near Chicago, be safe! It’s going to be another nasty night out there for anyone on the roads! We might even have cancelled class tomorrow…

SNOW DAY!! Please?

63 Comments

  1. wee i can touch my tongue to nose too! Ha yeaa good thing that’s useful..i can wiggle my ears too. I’m so glad you’re loving the Tony- i like that it has tons of diff videos and workouts, so you can’t get bored of it, my bff works all day and does one like every other night she loves it! I’m eating brussels sprouts right now LOOVE! Be safe in the snowiness!

  2. I can’t wait to try that flavor Cliff Bar! I haven’t seen it in any of my stores yet though. That’s great that you’re liking PX90. I can’t wait to see your progress.

    I can curl my tongue into 3 little waves. That’s about it for my body oddities! 🙂

  3. I haven’t seen that clif bar!!! MUST TRY!
    I can stand backwards… meaning, i can rotate my legs at the hip so that my feet are totally facing the wrong way. Freaks people out!

  4. I’ve never seen that flavor of Clif Bar, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout. Man, I used to some major damage to the Krispy Kremes back in the day!

    I am so excited about your P90X workouts. I’ve been wanting to do more workouts like that – is it similar to CrossFit? Your workout today sounded very challenging, but in a good way. I love having that feeling after a workout, knowing that I worked as hard as I could…even though I might be really sore tomorrow. 🙂

    Cosi, again wish we had those down South. Chris and I eat there whenever we go to Chicago. I like it so much better than Panera.

    Have a good night Jenn!

    PS – Love the turkey border around the Brussels!

  5. More snow, just what we need right?

    Your Cosi looks really good, I know there is one around here somewhere, I just have to find it now because your dinner looks really good.

    I guess my oddity is that my thumb and pinky are both double jointed.

  6. Wow – that workout sounds super intense. I agree that I don’t feel like I can work up a good sweat without some “official” cardio, so I’m very interested in hearing more about your regimen!

    I can curl my tongue into a clover, I think like Sara’s talking about. I can also flip it upside down. But my creepiest body quirk is being able to flutter my eyelashes insanely fast. It looks like I’m possessed!

    P.S. How do we figure these things out about ourselves?!

  7. Thanks for reviewing that Clif bar! I was a bit put off by it since I don’t really like white chocolate, but knowing that it tastes donut-y is definitely a plus for me, haha. I think it’d be delish crumbled over some oatmeal – I’m gonna try that sometime.

    My fingers are double-jointed too 🙂

  8. I’m intrigued by that Clif Bar!

    For a petite girl, I have very long fingers, and they are double jointed so as to curl back (not like a curly Q! They basically bend back) It’s something I got from my Great-Grandma from the Philippines. And then I can get a few of my fingers to bend only at the top joints – that looks really weird too!

    My mom can touch her tongue to her nose but I can’t!

    Great workout! I usually can gauge how good a workout was by how much sweat is dripping from me and how soaked my clothes are! (Kinda gross!)

  9. Yum! You’re making me so jealous of that Clif bar!

    My body quirk=my left left leg is bigger (in circumference) than the right one. My right pants leg is always just a tad looser!

  10. Nice to see another positive review on that Clif bar…makes me want to try one more!

    Your workout system sounds intense. Always fun when you feel like someone is pushing you, even if it’s from a DVD.

    As for your question of the day – I am double jointed to some degree in all of my joints. Not like, freaky double jointed, but according to my physio all my joints hyper extend beyond where they should. I always thought it was normal.

  11. Hi Bender!
    I have a ? about your brussel sprouts – how exactly do you steam them in the micro? For how long? I always use the pot but it takes some time…

  12. omg i walked in the blizzard all day! haha gross snow and cold. but I can twist my arm in an entire circle..its weird bc its full 360 around lol. i should put it on you tube!

  13. i love putting spinach with my omelet/eggs! I have a a couple weird body quirks…I can hyper-extend my elbows, my shoulders are double jointed, and my shoulder blades stick out of my back way tooo much…wow I sound really weird, haha…its not that bad

  14. I just saw your Clif Bar wrapper and went “WHAAAAA?!!!” and then I saw the flavor and went, “OOOOHHHH!” and then you said Krispy Kreme and I went, “AHHHHHH!” I’m on the hunt now!

    I can put my legs behind my head AND I can walk on my knees with my ankles in my hands, on the sides of my hips. I guess it’s kinda like being double jointed in my hips. It’s pretty gross, but cool too! Like your rice pudding with PB =)

  15. I love all your eats today! Fat-free feta? That is soooo cool. Lunch is my favorite.
    I’ve been meaning to ask how the job is going?! Hope you’re enjoying it 🙂

  16. dang. i gotta find that Clif bar!!!

    b-sprouts with bbq sauce, huh? i had a bad exp. with b-sprouts recently- over cooked them, and now the thought of eating them makes me queasy. hmmm bbq sauce tho….interesting!!

    HAPPY TUESDAY! SNOW SNOW SNOW

  17. i’m so glad you liked that clif bar! i don’t know when i’m ever going to get a chance to hunt it down but i’m excited to try it eventually!!!

    and i love all the eats! jealous of you peeps who get to eat cosi…i envy you….oh yeah, and panera too!

    my pinky’s crack every time i bend them! is that unique? hahah!

  18. hey EB!! thank u so much for that review..i really want to try that bar!!!!!!!!

    oh and…..yummyyy brussells 😉

    PS- i can bend my fingers to be parallel to my forearm and turn my feet around!

  19. A Krispy Kreme-esque protein bar?? Fun!! 😀

    BRUSSELS SPROUTS!! Holy yum, of course.

    **Body quirks = definitely double-jointed, since I can do a mean Robot dance 😀

  20. Ok, Krispy Kreme??! That does it …. I HAVE to find that Clif bar!!!

    I’m so excited to read about your workouts with P90X. I thank you for getting me back into it again! Tony is the BOMB-diggity. I will definitely let you know about the CHALean, if it ever gets here!! Ha.

    Stay safe in all that crazy snow!

  21. I am so eager to try that clif flavor! It looks so good! I am going to look for it at WFs this weekend!

    Glad work is going well so far!

    Your lunch brussels look so great! I need to make some more brussels!

    Glad you’re enjoying the new workout program!!

  22. That’s awesome about the P90X – I can’t wait to get updates on that! I think if you like it, I might take the plunge and buy it (I always seriously consider it ever time I see it on TV)

    Those brussel sprouts look fabulous!

  23. wow, i NEED to find that clif flavor–it sounds so good!

    i’m really excited to get more updates on P90X. I’ve always been weary of those types of things, but it seems like it’s good so far.

    the only weird body quirk i have is that i can move my baby toes independently from the rest of my toes. it freaks me out!

    Be careful driving in the snow and have a great week!

  24. That Clif bar sounds so good! I love Krispy Kreme….esp when the hot sign is on, but I like health bars, too, and after your description, I’m going to seek this one out!

    As for quirks…My fingers are a little double-jointed…I think? I can bend the top segments of a couple of my fingers down while keeping the rest of my finger straight. Not sure if that’s unique, but it was cool when I was a kid…lol.

  25. Ooo that’s so fun about the Clif bar, I do love macadamia nuts!

    I’m so happy you enjoyed your workout seshhh, I can’t wait to hear more about that. Anything that enables me to NOT have to go to a gym sounds like a really good idea 🙂

    Sadly, I don’t think I have any body quirks, it’s weird because I used to dance and was really flexible, just never “quirky” I guess. haha

    Have a happy Tuesday!

  26. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I’m SO glad to hear you liked it too!! Oh my gosh, now I’m craving another one! It’s never to early for a little Clif right?

    Haha Richard Simmons, what a hottie in his shorts 😉 Glad to hear you had a fab workout!

    Gotta love that Cosi bread – I think it may be better than Panera’s!

    Body quirks: I have hitch hiker thumbs! They make a glorious 90 degree angle backwards when I give thumbs up – I’ll take a picture for you!

    Fingers crossed for a snow day because I know I for sure don’t want to go out in the mess we’re supposed to get! Have a great Tuesday 😀

  27. A Clif bar that I have never seen before! I thought I stayed up to date on the newest flavors. I can’t wait to try this one.

  28. Yum, your daily eats looked so good! 🙂 And no weird double jointed stuff or anything here! I can’t even make the fish face thing with my lips! Although I do have one elbow that doesn’t have the same extension/ range of motion as the other, due to an elbow break a decade ago.

  29. every ounce of food in this post looks delicious. I need to try that CLIF bar ASAP.

    My body quirk is that I can touch my tongue to my nose!

  30. Oh my goodness- Brian would go NUTS over that Clif bar! I’m going to have to find some to surprise him.

    I’m curious about this P90X business. How often are you supposed to follow the workouts? Are you doing the meal plan, too?

  31. That Clif bar looks SO TASTY! I’ve never had a Krispy Kreme but I do love me a Macadamia Nut cookie!

    I saw that P90X system thing at Costco this weekend for $100. I meant to look at it because I remembered you mentioning it but totally forgot. I’m for sure going to look into it though, it seems like a super challenging program which is something I think I’m ready to do!

    I think my only weird quirk thing is my shoulder. I’ve dislocated it more times that I can remember so on occasion now it’ll randomly pop out of the socket.

  32. I am new to the blog, discovered it in December! I am eager to try your coffee cocoa! Can you tell me where to purchase the Coffee Talks ceramic mugs I see in so many of your photos?
    Keep up the great work, your blogs are an inspiration.

  33. I bought that new Clif bar, but probably will not have a chance to try it until the weekend. I am really excited to though after hearing yours and K’s good reviews!

    Body quirks? Um I have a scar on my left that I can pop in and out. Its one of those things where you have to see it to know what I’m talking about. 🙂

  34. Hey I just noticed you added me to your blogroll! Thanks! 🙂

    I’m curious to see how the P90X works for you. I got the Turbo Jam collection which I feel is marketed as the “female” version of P90X. I’m using it in addition to about a dozen other DVDs so I’m not following the plan exactly.

  35. I totally vote for a video of you touching your tongue to your nose!! I’d love to see that 😀 I’m double jointed in my left hand in all fingers so it can make a 90 degree angle.
    I want that clif bar!! Looks amazing

  36. That food looks soooooooooo good! Wow and I’m not a big fan of clif bars but that flavor sounds bomb.

    Body quirks? I can touch my tongue to my nose annd wiggle my nose =)

  37. I have such a mad craving for feta after seeing your breakfast. I haven’t had it in my fridge for much much too long and I am seriously missing it.

    I am also insanely jealous of this white chocolate macadamia nut cookie Clif bar that I keep seeing in bloggie world all of a sudden. Buttery Krispy Kremey goodness? I NEED to find that!

    That P90X system sounds INTENSE. I’ll have to consider looking into it because I love a good all-over body workout and that sounds like it’d be really effective. I used to do Tae bo religiously and loved it but now I find I’m just too used to the dvds I have. SO maybe a new home workout program is in my future! Can’t wait to hear more about how it goes for you!

  38. Oh my!! I saw the cliff bar picture first and instantly wanted it just based on the flavor- Yum! Now I will just have to search Seattle for that variety.

    Ps-I am double jointed everywhere- knees, elbows, toes, etc. AND I have 50% depth perception in my eyes- I am fab at sports 😉

  39. I really need to try that Clif bar — I haven’t seen it in my stores yet, but I’m sure it’ll pop up soon.

    I’ve heard that that workout is INTENSE. Can’t wait to hear how it goes as the weeks tick by! 🙂

  40. I’m back 🙂

    **Just as a heads up: I will not be able to comment on blogs as often now, during this semester, due to work overload (I’m stressed already) – PLEASE know that I’m still loyally reading, but just won’t have time to comment. I hope you understand!!

  41. We have been getting a ton of snow here in MN too! Yesterday we got like 4″… yuck! Now it is just bitterly cold. This morning the wind chill was -35!!!!!
    Your review of the cliff bar was amazing – I NEED to find one ASAP. I was literally drooling when I read about it 😉
    I also LOVE brussel sprouts. I will have to try the bbq sauce method.
    Good luck with the homework. I am trying to get back into “school mode” too 🙂

  42. You are all so amazing! I loved reading about all of your quirks, and I am excited that so many of you are going to look into both the Clif bar and P90X! I hope you enjoy both if you give them a try 🙂

  43. I just spotted this insane post! Thanks for the brussel sprouts inspiration, I have never tried them with bbq sauce, but I do love both, so they must be terrific together!

    Your tongue comment caught me today, as I am going tomorrow to have my tongue cut .. I have been tongue-tied my whole life and never knew it was something that could be fixed! So maybe I will be able to do that touch the nose thing tomorrow 🙂

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