Rhetorical question, but how awesome does my plate look??
I know.
So my Thursday morning wasn’t the greatest. Like I mentioned before, I was a zombie when we arrived at Kyle’s parents house late on Wednesday…and even though I slept straight through the night (something I rarely do in my own bed), I still couldn’t seem to get myself up in the morning.
So I slept in a bit while Kyle had breakfast solo.
Eventually I pried myself from the sheets and stumbled outside for a brisk jog around the neighborhood. I intended to go for a quick mile, but I got a bit ambitious…and then got a little lost…yadda yadda…football and coffee!!! My two favorite things. 🙂
Soon the rest of the family came over so Kyle and I got to play with our nieces.
They are the cutest.
They dragged us in and out of the toy room six hundred times, but it never got old.
I ate half a tub of hummus with baby carrots for brunch. My stomach was warming up for the main event.
Spinach salad (vegan) by Kyle’s sister with raspberries, apples, nuts and the most heavenly home-made mustard seed vinaigrette.
Roasted veggies (vegan) by moi (butternut squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots).
Spicy spinach dip and canned classic cranberry sauce. I hate when people try to fancy up something as wonderful as canned cranberry sauce. I want ridges!!!
Wild rice salad (vegan) by Kyle’s mom – from Gulfstream Restaurant (recipe coming soon?).
Turkey, stuffing and potatoes in the warmers and pinecone centerpieces by the girls. I had my own (vegan) mashed potatoes which I whipped by hand with Earth Balance and almond milk.
I tried to get all angles of my first plate full…
Of course I had seconds of the roasted veggies and the spinach salad (so good!!).
The very wild rice salad had a surprising zing to the dressing. It was acidic, which was a great contrast to all the other heavy, hearty flavors. All the ingredients were chopped so fine that they blended together really well, too; and I even enjoyed the red onions!
The most exciting part of the night was when we learned that the kids table was getting a new member. Not sure the girls understand the concept of getting another sibling quite yet…their focus is limited to princess stories and cake pops.
After dessert and more football Kyle and I packed up our leftovers and headed home.
I have no idea how, but both Kyle and I were ready for seconds when we got home.
I started with vegan mashed potatoes, which I re-buttered and re-heated, then moved on to the wild rice salad and roasted veggies.
Basically I had another Thanksgiving dinner. At 9 pm.
Sadly, this delicious feast backfired in a huge way. I slept horribly, I felt miserable, and I had no motivation to pack any food for work the next day. There’s nothing worse than planning a meal when you are uncomfortably stuffed at the time.
Good thing this holiday only comes once a year, right? Oh wait. I’m doing it all again this weekend with my family. Oof.
Who did you spend this Thursday with? Anyone having round two over the weekend??
How fantastic that you had so many vegan options at Thanksgiving! Your dinner sounds pretty delicious. I had dinner with my huge family at my aunt’s, and I brought enough vegan dishes to stuff myself!
What a great looking meal — I’m sorry you weren’t feeling your best for it, though. and YES to the ridges on the cranberry sauce! My body freaks out at fructose so I can’t eat the canned anymore, but I don’t judge those who can — there’s something about the texture. Love how full of veggies your plate is!
it all looks great!! we had a major feast full of raw & cooked vegan foods……….my whole family is plant based and my mom even got extra credit for making nearly everything GF!
Until about a month ago when I got laid off, I was a graphic designer for the company that publishes the book that you are reading to your nieces!
I do have to say I find it funny that you eat very healthy, but love the canned cranberries! I guess what we love is what we grew up eating! For me it’s my mom’s Broccoli Rice Casserole, only complete with cambell’s canned cream of chicken! haha
Your plate looks great!!! Also, love your post title!
i actully didnt even have any this year (because the fructose load is a bit hard for my GI system), but i agree, its weird how much i love the canned crap considering my otherwise whole foods approach to eating 🙂
whoa! cool!! (not the getting laid off part though)
wow, major props to your mom!!
Wow, cranberry sauce in a can? Is is sweet? Does it slide whole outta the can, and wobble on the plate? How cool! Love US quirky food things 🙂
Your nieces are adorable! And your plate looks amazing mmmm.
You were tired…you forgot to mention that you slept with your UGG boots on….and Braelynn said she wants a brother “as long as it is a girl!” Love you E…thanks for being part of the family!
i know. ugh. im so pathetic. im glad kyle didnt realize – he may have taken a photo.
i must have missed B saying that!! so cute.
exactly! its sweet (like jam), but not as sticky. and yes, it all comes out in a big can-shaped glob if youre talented enough. its wonderful.
i actually didnt have nay this year bc of the fructose issue, but in the past ive tried both versions and the canned stuff is the one i miss.
Looks super yummy!
That really does look gorgeous! I’m loving the rice salad…
It seems like you had an amazing day 🙂
I just found your blog and I HAD to comment about the cranberry sauce!
I’M SO GLAD I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE!!
I get so much crap when I get out the ubiquitous, gelatinous and oh-so-delicious jellied cranberry sauce. Those ridges? A MUST! 🙂