93 and me in Newport Beach

What a whirlwind trip this weekend was!   Guess what!!

I was in Newport Beach showering my sister AND FUTURE NIECE with x’s and o’s.   My sister is pregnant with a girl and we are all over the moon excited about it.  <3

We started the drive down to my g-ma’s on Friday after I wrapped up my am commitments and Kyle could get off work early.

My mom was waiting with my FAVE salad from Whole Foods…

I remade it and posted my version here.   Guys I haven’t had it in sooo long because I rarely go to the East Bay since my parents have been traveling for months on end.  Now that they are back for a while I should have a reason to hit up my fave WF on a semi regular basis.  Oops!  I meant visit my parents.  😛

Girly girls!

Anyway, we arrived in the OC on Friday night just in time for dinner (at Island’s – meh) and to wish my g-ma a HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY!

She might just be the cutest.   The party was at her house on Saturday, but my Aunt was the hostess with the mostest.

I don’t have many pics of the weekend’s eats, but I do have some photos from this awesome place called Birdie Juicery which we hit up one morning.

Above is the ruby citrus twist (SO GOOD!) and below is the acai bowl with almond butter on top.

I wish Davis had a really good acai place.  Sun & Soil can only do so much without a kitchen.  I’ve never been to the Sac location, but I know they have smoothies and bowls.  I want in.

Check out the dessert table!

My mom made the chocolate cheesecake and it was dairy/lactose free because she use Kite Hill cream cheese and Green Valley organic lactose free sour cream.  I, PERSONALLY, ate at least a quarter of it (yikes!).  Don’t worry – it wasn’t all in one serving – as if that makes it any better.  Just thought you should have all the facts before you judge me.

I’m going to get this recipe from my mom because it was a HUGE hit.

My aunt made chocolate buckeyes which were vegan because she used Earth Balance instead of butter.

I was in heaven!

I had four and felt a little sick after, probably because I rarely have that much sugar all at once, but it was worth it.  I eat so well 99% of the time I deserve to go balls to the wall on a day of celebration. Right?  Right??  RIGHT.  Ugh.  I went on a walk a little later (after the party had ended) to get some fresh air and a kombucha.

Vegan Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Ingredients:

 

• 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup vegan butter (ie Earth Balance)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Add peanut butter, vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt to a large bowl and mix until dough forms.  Roll into small balls and put onto a cookie sheet lined in parchment paper.  Place in freeze for 20-30 minutes until set.

Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds.  Using a toothpick, poke the top of each ball and dip into the chocolate.

Set on the parchment paper and store in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Look what I came home to!

I missed my lovies so much…and boy were they ecstatic when I got back to Davis. Absence really and truly makes the heart grow fonder!  I have a lot to do to get back on track for the week now, but I had a blast with my mom and sisters too.