Office Space

Nov 30th, 2009 by jenna

What could make signing a book contract even better?

A real live DESK!!!!

Kelly gave me her old desk and I couldn’t be more thankful. I feel almost official now, blogging from an actual desk instead of sitting on the floor. It’s sort of weird actually! I like having a little “station” now though….next up—a futon! This afternoon I snacked on whatever was leftover in the yogurt container (~1/2 cup?) mixed with a chopped apple and a drizzle of AB: And then for dinner, I rediscovered my love for kabocha squash! I roasted a sliced up kabocha squash at about 400 for 30 minutes or so. At the same time, I also had 1/3rd block of extra firm “sprouted” tofu and a handful of chickpeas marinating in 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tsp rice wine vinegar, a pinch of sea salt, pinch of ginger, cumin, cayenne and a drizzle of agave. Threw the ‘peas and tofu in the oven and let ‘em bake for about 20 minutes at the same temperature then served the whole hot mess together. IT WAS SO GOOD! Is it normal that my favorite part of the squash is the PEEL?! I just love it for some reason…it gets all crunchy and chewy when you bake it and is oh so good. Guess I met my daily dose of fiber, huh?! I plated myself up about half of the squash for tonight’s meal but it was SO much (it was a huge kabocha) so I didn’t finish it all. Saved room for dessert though, of course:

Yes! The return of the coconut milk ice cream. I adore this stuff. And wasn’t isn’t amazing when served in a wine glass?

I’m REALLY really tired tonight because last night’s sleep was a bust. Going to take a bath, rewind and read for the rest of the night. Sweet dreams!

Posted in Dinner, Snack, dessert

62 Responses to “Office Space”

on 30 Nov 2009 at 7:44 pm1Jocelyn

Congratz on the desk! It’s beautiful I loooove coconut milk icecream…especially served in a wine glass! Yummm!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 7:45 pm2Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)

Yay for a desk to blog at!

That ice cream flavor sounds really good! I’ll have to try it!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 7:58 pm3Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)

Looooove the new desk! I have been dying to have one in my room for the longest time. I blog from the floor most of the time =)

Nighty, night. Sleep tight. =)
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:01 pm4Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run

Cute desk! A real writer needs a real desk : )
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:03 pm5candice

You’re super classy—blogging at a desk and eating ice cream out of wine glasses! I really love kabocha peel, too, for the “crispiness,” haha. It’s so filling, too! Have a wonderful evening!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:05 pm6Katy @ These Beautiful Feet

I never worked at a desk really, usually in bed or on the couch after having a laptop. Now, I would LOVE an office space and a desk. Congrats on yours!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:07 pm7Karla

I had that same desk in college! Oh memories! Hopefully you’ll get some great work done on there too!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:11 pm8Allie (Live Laugh Eat)

I LOOOOOOOOVE kabocha squash skin!! It gets so crispy yet it’s chewy!! I thought I was the only one
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:16 pm9Michelle

I’ve really wanted to try that ice cream. I’ve almost bought it twice. I can’t eat dairy so I really need to try this. Thanks for making me take the dip into the tub
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:23 pm10Ameena

I still need to try the kabocha…It looks delicious!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:24 pm11Jil

Hooray for signing a book contract aaaand a new desk!!! Love squash! I need to go pick some up! And that ice cream looks delicious!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:31 pm12Olga @ Healthing It

Congrats on getting a desk! It sure makes things easier in my life.

And that squash looks so good…the skin is my favorite part too!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:33 pm13Sam (Merit to the Carrot)

You’re official now
That dinner looks fantastic! It’s been too long (about 2 weeks hah) since I’ve had me some Kabocha! Off to the grocery store I go.
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:36 pm14legalstyle

have you tried mama pea’s pumpkin spice roasted chickpeas yet? the recipe is pretty close to what you had tonight, but i wanted to recommend them anyway. have a relaxing night, jenna!

xo
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:40 pm15Deirdre

So glad you finally have a desk!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 8:54 pm16Erin

Love the map over the desk — I have the same thing for inspiration.
on 30 Nov 2009 at 9:20 pm17Nicole

I also discovered kabocha squash a couple weeks ago, I’m a fan!
on 30 Nov 2009 at 9:30 pm18Sarah

i had squash and tofu for dinner too! haha but i had butternut:)
on 30 Nov 2009 at 9:53 pm19Mastering Public Health

Hey Jenna, I had to spread the word about this huge Bumble Bar sale I just got an e-mail about from the owner: “For the next 24 hours only,” (this was sent Mon. at 12:30p.m.), “we are offering all our flavors for $20 per box and a free wrapsack! We have never offered such a steep discount on our entire line. Please feel free to tell all the BumbleBar fans you know.” http://www.bumblebar.com — I love this product so I had to pass it on! Have a great night.
on 30 Nov 2009 at 11:34 pm20ellen eats beets

Dinner looks lovely, as does the coconuttty dessert! Congrats on the new desk.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:39 am21Suzanne de Cornelia

Neat re the desk!! Very cozy and also spartan [my new favorite word].

Reminded me that Laura Hillenbrand wrote what became her huge bestseller ‘Seabiscuit’ in a tiny WDC apartment with a small fridge next to her desk as she has a very debilitating case of chronic fatigue syndrome. Because she need to marshall her energies she kept milk/cereal in a small fridge under desk so didn’t have to stop work or move around much. And she described being across from the Chinese Embassy–so that much of her writing was accompanied by loud protest chants that she couldn’t decipher except for one word: #$6&^&: &*#@!: Fight! Fight! Fight! %$^#&: *@#$%: Fight! Fight! Fight! Nearly drove her insane.

She was a big inspiration to me in getting through writing my book with one particular piece of advice. When invariably got tired of writing, she’d switch to another task to keep moving: research, editing, refining outline of next chapters, etc. Seems obvious, but really wasn’t till read that.

Also loved this NPR interview she did where she said one common aspect of the Seabiscuit story that involved the three main male characters and Seabiscuit—was that they all emerged to greatness from loss. Loved that.

Here’s the interview: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.phpstoryId=1360044

It’s so apt to have a map over your ‘donated’ desk…never know how far or where you’ll go…and so nice that it was given to you by a friend…because your book, by it’s nature, will have
that aspect of sharing, too.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 3:24 am22christie, honoring health

Hoooray! Glad you got your desk to work on!! And congrats on signing the book contract. I am looking forward to your book!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 3:37 am23Estela @ Weekly Bite

I love the map over the desk!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 3:38 am24Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)

Yay for desks! They really are conducive to productivity. When my desk is organized, my work seems to follow as well.

That ice cream looks delicious. I love pretty much anything that involved coconut. I like the wine glass touch, I served some peppermint ice cream up in a martini glass the other night. It makes it classy! Ha.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 3:44 am25Jessica @ How Sweet It Is

The desk is very cute!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:14 am26VeggieGirl

Lovin’ the desk!!!! So chic.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:42 am27Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg

Now that you have a desk, you’re ready to roll!

I love the peel too! My husband always looks at me like I’m a freak when I eat it, but it’s GOOD!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:51 am28diana(mymarble rye)

I was going to get that icecream the other day ….until i saw it was $6 bux! I’ll save money for that treat next time.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:52 am29Katherine

Congrats on the desk – very official looking
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:16 am30Paige (Running Around Normal)

Woo hoo for a desk! It’s very cute, too
Your dinner looks amazing, and that marinade for everything sounds delicious!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:16 am31amanda

Hmmm ice cream made with almond milk sounds yummy. I love the wine glass you served it in too.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:25 am32Lori

Congrats on the book contract! I actually published a book of poetry about a year and a half ago, but I went with a free publisher, and haven’t really done very much with promoting my book. What kind of writing do you do?
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:25 am33Abbys Vegan Eats

Kabocha and sprouted tofu:!?! YES please
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:27 am34Pam

Congrats on the desk….saweet!

Enjoy!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:36 am35Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)

That’s awesome you got a desk!! I had no idea you were blogging from the floor on a regular basis!!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:36 am36Sarah (Finding My Balance)

Working at a desk makes everything feel so official and productive. Yay!

You eat the skin off your squash?? Interesting… I’ll have to try that sometime…
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:39 am37Susan

Congratulations on your desk girl!
And yog messes are amazzzzing, no?
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:39 am38Sarah @ See Sarah Eat

Ah, I still haven’t tried the coconut milk ice cream but I keep hearing so many great things about it. I will have to get some soon (although the weather is getting mighty cold here now, ha ha).

Hooray for a desk!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:50 am39laura dishes

You’ve probably forgotten what comfortable feels like… congrats on the desk! That was so nice of your friend.

I love the ice cream in a wine glass- even better than ice cream in a mug!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:53 am40Christina MINDFUL LIVING

wow all your food looks so good! Ill have to try that squash one day!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:57 am41Shannon (The Daily Balance)

love the desk — so cozy!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:07 am42rebecca lustig

You’re officially a professional writer now that you have your own desk, hehe. Congrats!

I hope your night was joyful and peaceful, dear.
Sending tons of love your way
bec xo
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:09 am43emptyjar

Eat the whole pint Jenna You need to celebrate a contract and a desk.
I wish you weren’t so busy, I would like to get to know u or have u drop by my blog sometime to say Hi. You are too popular
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:19 am44Cassie

Congrats on the desk! I am seriously so excited for your book. As for that ice cream, I think I am going to have to go buy some ASAP.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:29 am45MelissaNibbles

Have you tried looking on Craigslist for a futon? They have great deals!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:41 am46Ashley

My boyfriend and I just bought a desk AND a futon for our office/yoga/meditation/guest room. We feel so grown up. ha.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:43 am47Emily Eats and Exercises

That dinner looks soooo good. I have to make more of those roasted chick peas asap.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:45 am48Kris

Hi! Congrats on signing your book deal. Have you ever been to Ikea? They have a store in Berkeley/Emeryville, I bet you’ll find a desk chair and a couch that you can afford. We bought desk chairs there a long time ago – they’re still working like a charm.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:50 am49Sabrina (RhodeyGirl Tests)

I was going to say WINE makes signing a book contract even better, but yes, a desk is a fabulous thing!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:51 am50Lauren @ Eater not a runner

The peel is my favorite part too! And a desk makes it all official, congrats!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:52 am51Joelle (The Pancake Girl))

I love having a desk and getting all of my stuff organized.. and you’re right- not much is better than when placed in a wine glass.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:56 am52Lu

Congratulations on your new desk! That’s awesome. I love squash peels.
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:01 am53Meggilizz

Okay I’ve never had kabocha squash, let alone thinking about eating the skin!!!! That sounds wierd, but I may have to try it out sometime!!! Congrats on the desk! I’ve got a desk but no chair, so I’m still either blogging at work or on the couch

That almond mocha fudge is my FAVORITE flavor of the coconut ice creme!!!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:13 am54skinnyrunner

you’re now ready to become an official author! congrats again!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:18 am55ShutupandRun

Ice cream out of a wine glass. I love it!!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:34 am56Katie

You go, girl — way to get a desk! You should be so proud of yourself; what an accomplishment!
You and all the other blog divas out there have inspired me to start my own blog. Hopefully I can hang with the big girls — Happy December!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:37 am57Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama

Wonderful looking dinner!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 10:33 am58Jenna

wow! that ice cream looks delish!
jenna
on 01 Dec 2009 at 12:33 pm59Whitney

I totally have that desk…Ikea?? It’s pretty baller, I’m not going to lie. Hope it treats you well! Congrats on your big beginning!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:10 pm60Lizzie

What a cute desk! And what better way to treat yourself than to eat Purely Decadent out of a wine glass? Now that’s class!
on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:12 pm61Lele

Wow your thrown together dinners are so ridiculously delicious looking. I want to make that combo!
on 02 Dec 2009 at 12:02 pm62Kimberly

Cute desk! It’s so helpful to actually have a space to write. It helps the creative juices flow.
For your furniture situation…you really need to go to Ikea! It’s in Emeryville so it’s a little over an hour away from you but SO worth it because it’s CHEAP and cute. I went there a few days ago and picked up an “entertainment center/book case” set which was under $500 (for 5 bookcases and a few extra pieces that’s REALLY good.
Just a thought.