I have the coolest friends. Ever since we started budgeting my besties have been awesome about making dinners together (as opposed to expensive meals out).
Last Friday we made vegan tortilla soup with Ethel.
And this past Friday Alene came over with some groceries for this feast…
We started out with appetizers. Alene fell prey to the delightfulness of Whole Foods and impulse bought some chips, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
Obviously I didn’t partake in the vino.
It was kinda drizzly weather outside but Kyle still manned the BBQ.
Tofurky kielbasa sausage.
Greens. Avocado. Sahale crunchers. Girard’s light champagne dressing.
Brown rice with babaganoush.
My favorite was the salad, naturally, because I looove avocado. But really, the dressing and the Sahale crunchers made it over the top brilliant. I like the cherries, apples, & maple snacks plain, but they make a pretty awesome salad topping too. It’s easier to eat them in moderation that way too (because straight out of the bag it’s pretty much impossible to stop chowing down).
The babaganoush-ified rice was my brilliant way of incorporating eggplant into the meal. Eggplant is one of the foods that’s supposed to bring on labor, but I’m starting to think the whole list is BS. I’ve had enough raspberry leaf tea to give Kyle contractions. And obviously the bouncy ball and walking aren’t doing much. So I’ve given up. Clearly the control is not mine.
Dessert!!
Wherever Cafe Indigo is (New Hampshire apparently) I want to go to there. Because this vegan chocolate chip cookie bar was goooooood.
So buttery. So sweet. So rich. I didn’t share with Kyle. Alene spoils me (and my unborn child) so much.
I really think cooking in with friends is the new trend. Restaurants are fun and all, but this way you can eat whatever you want for a fraction of the cost. And best of all, you get to hang out with your friends in the comforts of your own home. PJs, what what!
I think all of those labor inducing things are a crock too…at 12 days past my due date I finally agreed to be induced in October (my doctor would have let me go 2 more days to 42 weeks, but enough was enough!). Your baby is just comfy in there! And this is super random and I meant to comment a few days (weeks?) ago when you were talking about nursing bras, but I got all of mine from Target and the Gilligan and O’Malley comfort bras worked well for me and weren’t hideous looking (lace and polka dots help!).
I hate to tell you this but I’m pretty sure the entire list is BS. I was induced at 41 weeks after months of everyone telling me I was going to go early. I cried when when people who had due dates later than mine were having their babies. But – looking back now I wish I hadn’t been in such a rush. Babies do so much maturing in those last few weeks and I know my boy wasn’t ready at 40 weeks. I definitely should have focused more on soaking in those last few weeks instead of being miserable and wishing it was over. Congrats on what’s going to be a very exciting journey.
Those Crunchers are good – the ones I have tried anyways! That salad is “SOME SALAD!!!” Love the business of it!
youre so right. and ive definitely given in to that sentiment over the past few days. i just want to have a healthy baby, so theres no point in rushing this for my own selfish discomfort. plus ill miss pregnancy once its done im sure.
thanks megan…lace and polka dots definitely make things better!!
Oh I hope I didn’t come off like a jerk – I was more reminiscing about the end of my pregnancy because I can totally relate to the way you’re feeling. I know how frustrating and miserable it can be and you’re doing great – and it’s totally normal to have those sentiments. I enjoy your blog so much and I’ll be interested to see how the journey goes raising a hippie baby. I’ve been enjoying it although it’s definitely got it’s challenges with trying to raise a mostly vegan toddler in daycare. 🙂
Once you have that baby you’ll appreciate eating in with friends even more. It’s way less stressful than trying to take a baby to a restaurant. I love your blog by the way and have two hippy boys of my own.
Haha I like that you’re incorporating labor inducing foods into your meals. Hopefully he’ll be here soon!
no no not at all! im really glad you commented bc it reminds me to stay in the moment and enjoy this time now. i know things will be chaos soon enough and ill look back on these last days/weeks with fondness, so i should soak it up now while i can.
yay! im lucky i have friends who are cool w the “cooking in” concept. how old are your little hippie boys?
Cafe Indigo is awesome! So glad you tried one of their treats and loved it. It’s a really cute place with yummy food (especially desserts) and a great ethic. So fun that they found their way to California!
I wouldn’t have even thought of this, but she posted an article on facebook today about it, but a friend of mine from college’s (who I haven’t seen since college) parents own Cafe Indigo. If you look at the about page, the one on the right is my friend.
I really like your blog but this may be my favorite post. That sounds like more fun than a regular potluck. Best of luck with your little Hippie baby!
hi dusti! thanks so much 🙂
whoa! what are the chances!! small world… tell your friend’s parents that im a fan 🙂
hi fellow elyse 🙂
i wish i lived closer now that ive tried the dessert…the whole menu (that i looked up online) sounds awesome!
Yip – all the “natural ways” to induce labour as BS. I did all of them (including eating a ridiculous amount of pineapple because apparently it has some enzyme that mimicks oxytocin? Bah)
The only thing that brought on mild contractions was, ahem, getting down and giggy with it. It was the only thing that had a result….. but I was still 4 days over, so the control is not really in your hands, sorry.
When babe is ready, he will come. Although the night I went into labour I ate eggplant parmigiana (!) Ha.
Never thought of mixing baba ghannoush with rice, but sounds delish! Love whole foods’ fresh pico and guac, amazingg!! What brand baba did you use, or was it homemade?
it was made that day (from the WF salad bar) – my friend brought it over at my request. 🙂