My ability to sleep normally is gone. And I’m fairly certain it’s going to be that way for the rest of my life. Despite my state of perpetual exhaustion, this weekend was f.u.n.
We ate out twice on Saturday.
For lunch we went to Seed Bistro in Venice, which is rapidly becoming my favorite vegan spot on the Westside. I’ve never had a mediocre meal there – only the best.
I finally branched out and got something that wasn’t the Asian Kale salad.
This is the Creamy Caesar, with romaine, croutons, and a delicious cashew parmesan and pumpkin seed dressing. I added seitan to it, because I looooove their seitan. It’s so juicy and flavorful.
The dressing is almost as good as the seitan. It’s a toss up, really. Seed is fairly pricey, so we don’t go that often, but it’s a pretty awesome treat when we do go.
In the name of “treating” myself to things, I got a Trilogy Kombucha, too. Kyle hates when I take photos without giving him a heads up. Ha.
Kyle got the seitan sirloin burger (he has gotten it before, and loved it again this time) with a side of sweet potato fries. I stole one, and only one.
In between lunch and dinner, we finally got down to business and built our little guy’s crib.
After moving some things around in the extra bedroom, it’s now officially turning into a nursery. Ish.
This crib was a gift from my parents (as was the mattress, which is on the way). I did a ton of research and ended up choosing this crib and this mattress. Rather than go into all the crib details, you can read about the several awesome reasons I chose it here. As for the mattress, it was the best I found that was eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, safe, and reasonably priced.
It didn’t take long to put together. Kyle and I actually had fun doing it.
And before we knew it, it was time to get ready for dinner.
Straight hair – check! Make-up – check! Sparkly belt – check! Baby bump – check!
We met up with a group of friends at La Sandia in Santa Monica Place. After a loooong look at the menu (indecisive E was in full effect) I finally decided to go with one of the specials.
La Sandia is currently having a mole festival, and they had four moles to choose from. They all have different preparations and different sides, you basically pick one and then decide what you want it on – either chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or market vegetables.
I wish I could have gotten a sampler with all the moles on market veggies, but they couldn’t do that (I asked). So I chose the mole pipian with market vegetables. It was described as follows:
MOLE PIPIAN, MEXICO CITY
slightly spicy blend of pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, chile poblano, nuts
served with chipotle rice / black bean puree
chef recommends sauteed jumbo shrimp or market vegetables
I didn’t take a photo of my meal – no idea how or why, I guess I was too caught up in conversation.
It was good but not what I expected at all, and not like any mole I’ve ever had before. Too spicy in my opinion. Plus, the side of “chipotle rice” was actually cheesy rice, so I couldn’t have any. I tried my friend’s mole (she got the mole poblano) and it was way good. She definitely chose the better mole. It was sweet and complex and bursting with flavor, and like a more traditional mole. Oh well.
I did enjoy the black bean puree, as well as the guacamole (that we got as a table). And my lemonade with muddled mango was superb.
After dinner we headed to a friend’s birthday party at Wokcano, but I got tired pretty quickly (and Kyle got over the crowd even faster), so we walked home and crashed.
Today (Sunday as I’m writing this) I’m enjoying football and looking forward to cutting open these guys.
After more research, I’ve come to the conclusion that they are Lebanese White Bush Marrow Summer Squash. Kyle thinks they are alien eggs. But he actually calls them huevos del diablo. I think he’s scared for me to hack them open. FYI, I’m not planning on eating them because I’m not sure where the heck they came from, what nasty water source they’ve been fed, or what weird chemicals are in the ground that they sprouted up from. I didn’t plant them. I didn’t water them. And so I’m a bit cautious to ingest them. Still, it’ll be interesting to see what they look like inside.
Who’s glad November 6th is almost here?!?
I voted back in mid-October, and basically want to scream every time I get the mail or turn on the TV. The ads are out of control! I’m so excited for this election to be DONE. If you weren’t absentee, you better go to the polls on Tuesday. No complaining allowed if you don’t do your civic duty.
Eek, a crib – that’s when you know it’s seriously happening!! Love trilogy kombucha. Glad y’all had a fun weekend!
I would eat them! I guess I live on the edge 😉 Or, at least I would be so excited, I couldn’t help myself. Snap a picture of them, if you think of it. I made used marrow this weekend, which is a sure sign that summer is coming here.
I would have asked for a mole sampler as well, how are you supposed to choose?! I’m also excited Nov 6th is almost here, I just want to know who the president will be for the next four years!
Aw your squash look so cute! I am intrigued to find out what variety they actually are. YES, I am with you on the campaign Ads….I simply CANNOT wait until Wednesday morning 🙂
YAY for the crib and baby bump!! That does make it so real and exciting!! 🙂 And wozers kazowers guess what? The Kur Delights arrived this past Friday! How is that for fast??!! 🙂 Thank you again for sending these along! The mint was a bit strong for my taste but the brownie and coconut were yumsers!
Have a wonderful day, Elise!
Okay, so moles really aren’t as popular up in Canada, so when I read this it took me a little bit ( .. longer than I’d care to admit .. ) to realize that you were not talking about the animal but instead of molés. Don’t worry, I’ve got it now. I promise I’m not as blonde as I sound!!
It’s super exciting that the crib is ready!! Are you antsy getting close to the end, or do you think you’ll miss being pregnant??
I hope you’re enjoying a lovely Monday!! 🙂
I was in California last week and I could not believe the barrage of political ads. Nothing like that in the Chicago area! And I totally agree – if you don’t vote, you lose all rights to complain.
I vote that you make Kyle try the aliens eggs, to see what they’re like. That’s what boys are there for isn’t it:/.
Xxx
So exciting on the crib, and it looks great! The mole sampler sounds fun, I had an amazing vegan chocolate mole sauce last weekend that’s got me craving more. 🙂
i second that!
right??? so annoying.
its funny how things have changed since ive been pregnant. i totally would have tried it before. now i tend to err on the more cautious side when it comes to borderline decisions. im sure things will go back to normal once im not eating for someone else. although i guess theres breastfeeding too…maybe i should make kyle try it for me.
awesome! so glad you liked them (i dont like mint, so kyle tried those).
haha, well im glad you got it figured out 🙂
thats such an interesting question!
hmmm…
no. i dont think ill miss it. im not necessarily antsy…yet. but pregnancy hasnt been my favorite. i mean, it hasnt been horrible the whole time, so i dont want to complain (i know it could be way worse). its weird though. i dont feel like myself at all. i dont feel like im in control of my body at all. i just feel like im a vessel supporting his growth. so im just trying to be the best baby carrier ever. ha.
what i am is excited to have a baby boy. i just cant wait to meet him. but of course i want him to be full term, so i can definitely wait. 🙂
oh. em. gee. those sweet potato fries look amazing!! i want them right now.
in other news, love the crib 🙂
i love, love, LOVE seeing pics of your baby bump! you look amazing, lady. please post more!! my love to you, kyle, and baby boy cobb. xoxo. (PS – i tried to get the name out of laura – she wouldn’t budge!!)
im so bad at taking photos of the bump growth, but ill tell kyle to get on it. im sure melinda will take a million and four of me in front of the tree when i go home for christmas…
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digging the lemonade muddled con mango.
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