My 25th Trip Around the Sun!

This is an extra long post, so I won't keep you waiting! On Friday afternoon T and I went to Sweet Avenue Bake Shop, a vegan bakery, to pick up our cupcakes for our (and my brother in laws) birthday celebration at my in laws. When we saw they were voted for the best bakery in the county and the best chocolate chip cookies we couldn't resist. We also tried out the oatmeal (hey, it was my birthday weekend, I didn't have calories or health on my mind!). We shared one of each. Here's my oatmeal cookie. So delicious!
Here's there award winning chocolate chip. I definitely liked this one better then the oatmeal. The chocolate was so good! Just like I use to remember.. mmm.. for those of you who don't know, chocolate chip cookies are my weakness. My favorite since I was little. I BARELY eat them now a days, so when I do, it better be worth it. This one was!

Here's the cupcakes. Starting from the top left corner: Sexy Sadie (red velvet with creme cheese frosting), White Room (vanilla on vanilla), Root beer, Boston Creme (this was mine.. soooooooooooo good!!!!!), Rosewater Pistachio (I tasted this one, also really good!), S'mores (T had that one, I tasted the frosting..mmm), and Jet Black (chocolate on chocolate). They even had a gluten free one for my mother in law. She said being that it was gluten free it wasn't that great. She said the way we were all talking about how good ours were she new hers couldn't compare.

We ate them on Saturday night after pizza, sorry no pics, but we had spelt pizza with broccoli rabe and sun dried tomatoes and spelt with eggplant and marinara, they were both really good. My father in law makes the best pizza, hands down, that any of us have ever had!

Back to Friday, when we got home from picking up the cupcakes we wanted a quick dinner. I heated up Imagine's Creamy Split Pea soup. This is a new flavor they came out with. I loved it! Sometimes I just crave split pea soup. I added chives, ground pepper, and olive oil to garnish.

Along side.. KALE OF COURSE! Sauteed in garlic and olive oil.

Saturday we went down to my in laws and T and I decided to try a vegetarian restaurant about 15 minutes away that we had heard about. It's called Kaya's Kitchen. I ordered the hummus and avocado wrap which had sprouts, tomatoes, homemade hummus, avocado, and red onion inside a whole wheat wrap it came with a choice of fries, onion rings, house salad or cucumber salad. I had the cucumber salad. It was really fresh and yummy! Nothing beats homemade hummus, it was so lemon-y and fresh tasting! T ordered the vegan Philly Cheesesteak. He LOVED it! He had onion rings on the side and I had to try one, they were delicious! He wants to go back next week. Since it won't be my birthday weekend, I will ordering a salad and juice. I've had more wheat this weekend then I've had in months. I noticed I was clearing my throat a lot every time I ate it. Hmmm..

Yesterday we went out into the country to my favorite health food store. Like I've mentioned before, they have a really good deli inside. This time I splurged (again) and got a wrap. Raw veggies on whole wheat with tahini sauce. Another fresh and delicious sandwich. Again, I was clearing my throat a lot after this meal. Darn wheat!

And finally, my birthday dinner. I decided to change the reservation and go to Pure Food & Wine. Sorry about the pictures, it was really dark so when I used the flash, the pictures came out really bright, without the flash, really dark. I started with the Manicotti. Made with zucchini and a creme sauce inside. So tasty!

For dinner T and I both ordered the Lasagna. Which I didn't realize would have raw garlic in it. As much as I LOVE garlic, my tummy can not handle it raw. It's was to strong and almost every time I have it, I throw up. So I was hesitate to eat this. I took a few bites and couldn't eat anymore. It was pretty rich as well, which was making me nauseous. T love it, but also said it was rich. Oh well!

I had a lot of room for dessert! T ordered a trio of different ice cream treats. A chocolate covered creamsicle, a pistachio cookie sandwich, and a chocolate covered ice cream cone. Oh My Gosh! I tried all 3, WOW!! I love raw desserts! It amazes me what they can do!

I ordered the mint ice cream cookie sundae. I ordered a sundae the last time I was there so I knew this was a good bet! Boy was I right! I love mint and chocolate together. You could tell they used fresh mint. So delicious and decadent. Not to rich, absolutely perfect! Although on the ride home I had a headache. I don't think I am use to eating so much sugar (natural or not).

All in all I had a wonderful birthday celebration. I am excited to start another year in my life. I want 25 to be the best yet! So far, every year gets better, I hope to continue this streak! My motto for 25: 25 and I feel alive! :) This year I hope to get pregnant and start a family with T. Let's hope the economy gets better so we can start trying! He he! :)