First visit home

For the past 6 days Kyle and I have been in the East Bay.  It’s incredible having P in my hometown – and very cool/weird/surreal taking him to all the places I grew up around.  He’s also gotten to meet some of my bestest friends. 

IMG_1738 

But I’ll back up to the trip to get here…because we were slightly apprehensive knowing we had a 6+ hour drive with a baby.  We’ve conquered hour long walks no problem.  Short outings are a breeze.  But the I-5 is a whole other ball game – there are 35 mile stretches without exits!  Definitely a new experience.

IMG_8521

The day before was Kyle’s birthday, and as I mentioned we got Veggie Grill take out.  I didn’t want to stray from my usual order (the kale salad with blackened tempeh), but I was also in the mood for something slightly different.  So I compromised by ordering the same salad with the creamy ranch dressing instead. 

IMG_8522

Such a good call!  And since I got two of them I saved the extra for later (wait for it ahead).

While working on the birthday cake (I promise I’m going to post the recipe) I was also packing food for the road trip.

IMG_8537 IMG_8523 

Hours in the car means lots of snacks, so in addition to the above, there were tons of little bites.  Like hummus, nuts, trail mix, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Clif bars, apples, and I don’t know what else. 

Those onion skinny chips were an Expo West freebie.  They were too onion-y for me but Kyle liked them fine – not very substantial on their own, but dipped in hummus they get the job done.

My breakfast was oats with nutritional yeast and fried egg (I microwaved it in a bowl sprayed with nonstick for 45 seconds).  Kyle had a breakfast burrito.

IMG_8539

My lunch was fridge hodge-podge that needed to be used up – brown rice, peas, sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast and the extra Veggie Grill ranch dressing.  Yums!  Kyle had a PB&J. 

P did so well – he actually slept for 3+ hour stretches on the drive – so we only had to stop once (!!!).  It was my first public restroom diaper change and it wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be.  Afterwards I nursed in the car and then we were off again.  Kyle and I alternated driving shifts while the other person stayed int he back seat with P (and operated as snack dispenser as well).  Fingers crossed that the ride back down the I-5 goes just as well. 

IMG_0633 

We were approaching hour 4 without eating by the time we arrived at my parents’ house so I immediately breast fed P and then gave him over to my mom grandma.

IMG_8541

My parents borrowed a pack n play and vibrating seat (above) from their friends (also grandparents) so P was right at home.

IMG_8549 

Dieden family grapes are in this vino.  🙂

IMG_8543 

Dinner was salmon, sweet potatoes, and a salad.

The salad had spinach, strawberries, pecans and Annie’s balsamic vinaigrette.

 IMG_8550

My mom marinated the salmon with a delicious rub (that was doubled due to the insane amount of fish she got).

Salmon with Paprika/Cinnamon Rub [yield 8 servings]

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. salmon fillets

Marinade:

  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp thyme

Rub:

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Saigon cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp grated orange peel (+ more to taste)
  • 1 tbsp thyme
  • ½ tbsp sea salt

Directions:

Mix marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place salmon in large glass dish,
add marinade, and turn to coat well. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor.

Combine spice rub ingredients in small bowl. Remove salmon from
marinade and place in greased foil-lined baking pan. Discard any remaining
marinade. Rub top of salmon evenly with spice mixture.

Roast salmon in preheated 400° F oven for 15-20 minutes (or longer
depending on thickness of salmon), until fish flakes easily with a fork. Watch to
make sure coating doesn’t burn – if getting too dark, cover loosely with foil.

IMG_8551 

Beautiful!

I only had half the sweet potato with Earth Balance (because they were ginormous!) and saved the second half for later.

As per our routine, I headed to bed at 9 and left Kyle with P for the few hours while I got some shut eye.  Ummm…yeah…that didn’t really work out…unfortunately all that sleeping P did en route backfired and he was up all night. Good thing he’s adorable. 

IMG_0657 

The next morning Kyle headed off to several meetings all over the Bay Area (SF x2, Belmont, & San Jose), so my mom and I had P to ourselves for the day.

I watched basketball (love March Madness) made Dandy tea and then my girlfriend Lauren came over to meet Patty-cakes.

IMG_0649 

I made breakfast while she played with my little monkey and then we caught up on life.

IMG_8560 

This leftover half of a baked potato was scavenged from the depths of my parents’ fridge.  Ordinarily it’s sooooo packed I swear they don’t even know what’s in there, but they just got back from a few weeks in Thailand so it’s not too chaotic inside. 

I packed it with Earth Balance and fried an egg and was a happy camper.

Later on my sister came over.  She hasn’t seen P since he was in the NICU so this was a big deal.  Unfortunately she was just barely getting over a cold so she waited to hold him (knowing we were going to be in town for several days).

IMG_8562

We ate lunch and hung out while watching basketball.  I wanted to hear all about her visit to Australia and Thailand.

Lunch was leftover salad from the previous night (enhanced with extra spinach and carrots) topped with a HUGE portion of salmon.  I haven’t taken my DHA in a few days because of all the fish I’m eating on this trip home. 

IMG_8563 

I had Crunchmaster (GF) crackers on the side.  I love these things, but they are crazy addictive.  I inevitably put them away and then go get them again and have “a few more” multiple times a day. 

IMG_8565 IMG_8568

We contemplated going for a hike with the dogs after lunch but P isn’t quite big enough for the Baby Bjorn yet.  Also, I’m being overly cautious in the introduction of my parents’ dogs to P.

IMG_1775 

While they’re super friendly dogs, they’re still animals and they aren’t my pets, so I’m not sure how it will all play out.  

IMG_1691 

We ended up going on a walk with the stroller (to the post office) instead.  I had to mail back some nursing tanks that didn’t fit.  I hate online shopping for that reason, but getting to the store is kinda difficult still. 

IMG_8571

Right after I got back from the walk, my second family came over (sorry for the icky blurry iPhone photo).  I’m the fifth daughter in their family and I call their mom my second mom, so naturally P is like their nephew. 

IMG_8572

For dinner we got delivery from Patxi’s.

Okay, so you all probably know how much I LOVE Patxi’s.  However, this was a rather disappointing meal experience.

IMG_8573

My sister and I split a daiya pizza with spinach and tomatoes on a thin crust.  Basically the same order I get every time. 

IMG_8574

This is now their thin crust???  If you look at previous links to Patxi’s pizzas on my blog (also with thin crust orders) and compare it to this one, you’ll see there’s been a serious decline in the quality.

My mom’s looked even more pathetic.

IMG_8576

If this is thin, what’s extra thin???  Also, her pizza was supposed to have red onions, mushrooms, spinach and roasted chicken.  Do you see any of that?

We were so disappointed we actually called the restaurant back to discuss the issue.  They were very nice and offered to send a re-do of our order out immediately.  So at least they have good customer service.

IMG_8577

Mine looked the same, but like I said, I didn’t really have that big of an issue with it.  I was annoyed by the fact that a thin crust is no longer what it used to be, but aside from that, the pizza tasted good. 

My mom’s pizza was a huge improvement though (in that she actually had toppings this time!).

Sadly, Patxi’s was kinda ruined for me.  I don’t like pan pizza/Chicago style, and their thin crust is supposed to be like a regular crust, so I don’t know if I’ll go back because there’s not an in-between crust option that I like. 

Too bad because they have daiya cheese and vegan dough and I like supporting that.

P slept MUCH better this night (back on schedule!) and we got to snuggle in bed the next morning (we sent the photo below to Kyle since he was away for business stuff again).

IMG_8583 

I got him to rest semi-soundly while I showered (and watched him in the pack n play from the bathroom).  It’s always exciting when I learn to do new things solo and/or one-handed. 

IMG_8595 

Then made tea and breakfast.  These sweet potato pancakes were perrrfect so I’ll post the recipe later.  They only had two ingredients (plus salt) and somehow turned out amazing.  I topped with with Earth Balance of course.

IMG_8604

Lunch was the same salad as the previous day’s with even more salmon and the rest of the Crunchmaster crackers.  Four servings my a$$.

IMG_1706 

After lunch my mom went to a cooking class so I went on a walk with P.  We went all over my home-town and I showed him the local spots that I grew up frequenting.  It’s a dream to be able to do this, and I can’t wait til he’s old enough to actually know what I’m talking about (or stay awake).

IMG_0666 

Elaine, Dave & Cooper came over to hang out in the early afternoon.  Lauren joined us too (how could you not want to hang with these adorable babes!?).  And after my sister got off work she came over, too. 

IMG_1696 

She was so excited because she finally got to hold him.

IMG_1699 

For dinner Kyle and I cooked.  My mom did all the grocery shopping with the list I gave her and even brought me home a few Kombuchas.  🙂

IMG_8613 

We made these recipes from Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook.

IMG_8606 IMG_8610 IMG_8620

Instead of chicken, I used tempeh (3 blocks of Lightlife’s flax tempeh) for the four of us.

IMG_8617 

We made broccoli too, but I didn’t have any. 

The meal was delicious.  I thought the kale fried rice was awesome and everyone loved the tempeh (even my mom and sister who aren’t seasoned tempeh eaters like Kyle and I).  Definitely recommend.

After dinner we watched Cal win and UCLA lose.  Meh.  My bracket isn’t doing so hot. 

To be continued…

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Comments (50)

  1. Nikki

    P is so adorable!! I am happy that your drive went well the way there, and so happy you got to spend time with your family and extended family!

  2. Megan

    P is seriously super cute! I had when pizza places drop the ball, I definitely have no problem calling and telling them I have an issue with the food.

  3. Lee

    Sounds like a great trip. I’m totally jealous that you are wearing shorts! I live in freakin’ Georgia and right now it’s 35 degrees out!

  4. Abby

    1. P looks SO different and so healthy…and older already!
    2. You look fabulous and like you didn’t just have a freaking baby. Seriously. And I’m also jealous of a) your weather and b) vegan pizza.
    3. Those crackers are crack. No questions asked.

  5. Lori

    OK OK this is great! My two fav pics are the early morning one! And the cute “I’m asleep with the monkeys and I’m adorable” 🙂

    This post coincides with my brand new IPad purchase so I am reading on that & not my phone like usual so awesome timing P!

    Did your folks like Thailand, I go there all the time, though I’m sure they loved Oz 😉

    Love this post with mix of food, life and P!

    Cheers
    Lori

  6. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats

    I’m so glad you got to bring P home!!! That must have been great to show him off to your family and friends! And I’m so sorry about the pizza… it’s always disappointing when places change things and it’s not as good anymore. I used to get the same chicken Mediterranean salad from a local place but they changed it up to be more “American” and it’s just awful… I can’t go back.

  7. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries

    You look awesome girl! I’m glad you’ve had such a great time with family. Little P is already getting so big! How fun!

  8. janetha

    Love all the pics! Cutest little fam around.

  9. Sarah

    Great post. Your mommy and you in your Tom’s is too cute. P-dawg Ness a pair of baby Tom’s.

  10. Lara

    So adorable! I’m so glad the drive went well! There’s no place like home 🙂

  11. Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness

    P is so cute! It sounds like you are having a wonderful visit!

  12. Courtney

    Okay, P is officially the 3rd cutest baby ever (after my nephew and niece, of course 🙂 )!! How wonderful that you are able to spend this time at home with your parents and P is getting to know is grandparents!

    Courtney

  13. sarah w

    I loved this post! That little man of yours looks so much like you! And your sister looks like a natural with him!

  14. BroccoliHut

    Aw, so glad that P got to spend some time with grandma and the rest of the fam!
    That salmon + salad combo sounds amazing! Strawberries and pecans are so awesome together.

  15. Shawnna

    Cuteness overload! So many great photos. I love the early morning snuggle one the best. Glad to hear that your drive was smooth. I had 2 car screaming babies, and it was awful. There are so many amazing carriers on the market that you can use from day one. Wraps are really supportive and much better on your back, and then there is The Ergo carrier that you can use through the toddler years. It is seriously a workhorse that won’t hurt your shoulders or back, and will put pressure on baby’s spine. I’m sure you have some hippie baby stores in CA that have them 🙂

  16. Katie

    Ohmuhgosh. You guys are the cutest! His perfect little round head…he’s already filled out so much! Oh and your parents’ german shepherd….eeee!

  17. Lisa

    Dying over how cute your family is.
    He is such a beautiful baby already!
    And you are looking SO great Elise!
    What a great visit home, it must’ve been such a blast seeing him with all your friends and family.

  18. Sally

    Loving P’s chubby cheeks in the last photo of him, he’s obviously thriving, so cute.

    Kale fried rice sounds fab, I will try that soon!

  19. Jen

    You look great, and your family is adorable! P is one lucky guy.
    And those sweet potato pancakes look delicious- can’t wait for the recipe!

  20. Karlee

    you look great!! really great! can you talk more about deciding to eat fish? maybe you did and i missed it. i read where you briefly talked about it. ive been veg for about 5 years and my fiancee is pescetarian and ive been thinking about eating fish for awhile now.

  21. Emily

    Aww- this post put the biggest smile on my face! I’m sure your family is loving having you all there and I can’t believe P did so well on the trip! What a trooper. (:
    I can’t WAIT for the pancake recipe! My roommate decided to buy a massive bag of sweet potatoes over the weekend that we’re trying to use up!

  22. Nicole

    First of all, beautiful baby and family! And I wanted to ask you if you’ve ever tried spelt flour and how you handle it? And what your opinion is on it?

  23. Katrina

    Great pics and sounds like you had a great visit. Food looks good too. No Whole Foods in my area. I’m going to check out Trader Joe’s to see what they have.

    P is so adorable! I l just love that one of you and him in bed. Such a sweet expression on his face.

  24. Elise (Post author)

    ew! thats horrible 🙁 come visit ca!

  25. Elise (Post author)

    hes growing SOOOO fast! hes such a chunky monkey. i love it. 🙂

    ps thanks for the ego boost!!

  26. Elise (Post author)

    definitely check out TJs. they have lots of good stuff. not as much organic and more pre-made stuff than raw ingredients, but definitely lots of healthy options.

  27. Elise (Post author)

    i tolerate spelt actually but havent used it much recently. no real reason other than i often forget about it if its not stocked in the pantry. i know theres a difference between spelt in the US and in europe though (the ancient/ancestral grains are supposedly safe for those with celiac and wheat/gluten allergies, but the more common spelt that we have here in the US is not typically safe for those w intolerances).

  28. Elise (Post author)

    then youre gonna LOVE this recipe.

  29. Elise (Post author)

    hmmm…im not sure theres much to say about it really. i have been thinking about it for a while, especially since following a low fodmaps diet makes me have to be more diligent about my protein sources (since the amount of beans i eat is limited). in any event, ill think about it more and if theres more to share ill do a post on it.

  30. Elise (Post author)

    your wedding food looks insane btw. i want that salmon please!

  31. Elise (Post author)

    hes definitely putting on the lbs. i LOVE IT!!!!

  32. Elise (Post author)

    thanks lisa 🙂

  33. Elise (Post author)

    isnt he SUCH a chunky monkey! love it 🙂

  34. Elise (Post author)

    agreed! i never liked pecans much until i start using them in salads actually.

  35. Elise (Post author)

    ha. im glad you didnt sell out on your nephew and niece 🙂

  36. Elise (Post author)

    she is a natural!! shes babysat for really young infants before though so shes got lots of experience.

  37. Elise (Post author)

    agreed. when you come to nor cal we need to have a date okay?

  38. Elise (Post author)

    100% amazing visit. 🙂

  39. Elise (Post author)

    omg we totally need toms for P!

  40. Elise (Post author)

    how are you!!!! so happy things are okay after your little scare. thinking of you all the time!!!

  41. Elise (Post author)

    gah. its such a bummer when good dishes get changed and restaurants lose their awesomeness 🙁

  42. Lara

    Yes please!

  43. Elise (Post author)

    they loved thailand! and australia too!

  44. Beth

    Elise, where do you find the crunchmaster crackers? I would like to try them. Thanks! 🙂

  45. ethel

    ADORABLE!!!

  46. Elise (Post author)

    costco, vons/safeway.

  47. laurasplanet

    love that GP recipe!! and I especially love all the photos too!!

  48. Elise (Post author)

    i figured youd be loving all these posts…they’re the family/food mix kind you like 🙂

  49. Pingback: Double party weekend

  50. Pingback: Christmas 2013

Comments are closed.