this time last year

At 7:30am 12/31/11 I woke up to Trevor's fire pager going off to announce a retirement for a fellow firefighter. I rolled over and told him I had a very vivid dream (which is typical for me) that I was pregnant with a little girl. We had been trying for a while and in December I received some bad test results so I was kind of bummed by the dream. December was the month I decided to not care so much, nearly impossible. Trev rolled over back to sleep and I laid in bed trying to decide if I should test or not. I had told myself I wasn't going to this month because I want tired of the disappointment. Dreams are a big part of my life (I have the Japanese character tattooed on my right shoulder). I finally decided to, so I snuck quietly to our upstairs bathroom so Trevor wouldn't hear me and call me out. I took it and went to go grab it and throw it out, fully expecting it to be negative like so many others, and it was POSITIVE! So positive for being so early. I wasn't even late yet! I had an OMG moment and then I ran downstairs, threw open our bedroom door and yelled to a sleeping Trevor "OMG, I'm pregnant". The look on his face was disbelief. We typed into a calendar that my due date would be 9.11. His grandpa Jack's birthday (who we always said we would name him after and my little brother Jack) and awesome since Trev was a firefighter.

The rest of that day is a blur to me. Our emotions were running so high. I was excited, nervous, scared, joyful, overwhelmed, and relieved all at the same time. We decided to tell those close to us right away but only those close to us. I packed up an Auntie Anne's pretzel shirt I had emailed the company for when we started trying, knowing that is how I wanted to tell my family, and we headed over to my parents' house. I told Annie I had forgotten one of her Christmas presents and had her open it. I could tell she was less than enthused and after a few minutes it finally clicked for my mom and she said "Are you?!" To which I started crying and said "Yes!" Then she proceeded to give me oodles of boy things she just bought because she had a feeling it'd happen soon. My dad was just in shock. As typical teenagers, Annie and Max just thought it was "cool".

Next we went to his parents' rental house they were staying in because of their house fire. Trev started a conversation with them about how terrible 2011 had been for them since their house burnt down and Laurie lost her brother. Then he said "Well 2012 will be better because you will be grandparents and get your updated house". It took Laurie a second and then she started crying and was so happy. Harry proceeded to say he wondered if I was because I started to look it. I guess at 11 days pregnant I was already starting to gain those 55 lbs lol.

A few hours later we called my sister, brother and sister in law who were all out to dinner in Traverse City. They were shocked. I don't even know that they knew we were trying!

Later that night we went bowling with his parents and cousin Autumn and Mark. We didn't tell them but I bowled a 119 (911 backwards) and at the same time the song "Hit the road, Jack" played. And I noticed, for the first time, that my jacket was by the company Jack.

After bowling we went to Heather and Seth's to see them and Erich and Michelle. We got there and I pulled out of a shopping bag my drink for the night, sparkling juice. The girls screamed and Heather started getting teary eyed. It was awesome. At midnight Trevor and I kissed and celebrated 2012 being the year we would become parents.

I look back to last New Year's Eve and while the memories are still fresh in my head, it feels like forever ago. I feel like I'm a completely different person from that day, and maybe I am. As Trevor and I were laying in bed last night reliving these memories, I told him "This time last year was the last time I thought about myself". Life is crazy, exhausting and chaotic now and I never get enough sleep or have enough time to get done all the things I'd like but boy is it 100x better. 2012 was an amazing year. I carried and had my first child and we became parents. He brings us so much joy and laughter and has really changed our marriage. Being a mom has really made me look at myself and the kind of person I want to be. I can only imagine how wonderful 2013 is going to be because of our Jack.

Jack is 3 Months Old!

How is my little bubba getting to be so big? I can't believe how interactive he is becoming! He's such a little person now and not that much of a baby blob. :)

So this is what Jack is up to now:

-he loves making spit bubbles
-he can grab some things and bring them to his mouth but he prefers trying to cram his whole fist in!
-he likes to raise his left arm up the entire time he lays on the changing table (that he loves being on).
-he is fascinated by his feet and tries hard to grab them.
-he's wearing 3-6 month and 6 month clothing because he is long limbed (not like his mama)!
-he has a little cradle cap that were working on.
-he takes amazing naps for Dad during the day but still likes waking up often to eat at night (now that Mom is back to work she's enjoying the extra cuddles).
-on 12.10.12 he rolled over onto his back from his belly-silly boy did it on Dad's first day watching him.
-he has really found his voice. He will talk forever if you say "ow" to him (kind of like the MN Vikings horn sound if you watch football). He's also starting to develop a belly laugh and a shriek! One day we thought he said dad and thank you!
-at night we have to swaddle him (he enjoys this now) and walk around in a dark room (bathroom) with the fan going and patting his butt while he falls asleep (but he is sleeping in his rock 'n play more-I think he's less restless this way).
-his neck is SO ticklish and he laughs and squirms when you kiss it. Sometimes his belly, too!
-he likes patty cake still but also when we have him dance "Gangnam Style" and sing "Heyyy, sexy baby" (instead of lady). Lol, poor kid!
-when he's fussy we call him "fuss pants".

I am down to 119lbs, so only 4 lbs to go. I'm going to try hard to keep cooking my own healthy vegan meals but it is hard when I want to spend my time with Jack after work (usually babywearing him for extra snuggles) and Trev works most evenings-so I'm solo. I'll stay vegan for sure but probably with some help from Trader Joe's frozen section.

I went back to work yesterday and its really hard. Hard because I miss Jack SO SO much (luckily Trev texts me pictures, videos and updates of their day) but hard also from not having started the year with my students. I hear it all takes time but it is painful in the meantime. I can't wait for Christmas break soon.

Well that's all for this month. I have a .25 year old that needs some extra snuggles! :)

Cookbook Winner

Jianna won (second to comment on my FB update this morning due to posting troubles yesterday). Thanks to everyone who read the post and commented. I really enjoyed reading your responses and hope you all consider purchasing HHA! :)

Drawing Update

I've had a few people say their comments didn't go through on my blog. Check and see and if it didn't, post it on my Facebook before 2PM when I will chose the winner. There are 8 comments right now. The first one on FB will be #9, then #10, etc. (for drawing purposes).

Happy Herbivore Abroad Interview, Review & Giveaway!

I have to say I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of Lindsay's book tour for her new book, Happy Herbivore Abroad.  You can read about my journey to veganism here, but at the end of the day what is most important is that Lindsay is my favorite cookbook author.  When I was first vegan I would get very overwhelmed by the random ingredients in recipes, the amount of time and effort they took and how unhealthy a supposedly healthy recipe could be!  When my co-worker introduced me to Happy Herbivore, I was hooked.  Her recipes were easy, healthy and quick--something I appreciate even more now that I am a working mom of a new baby boy.   

I own both Happy Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore (and enjoy her meal plans that have helped me lose 50 of my 55lbs of pregnancy weight in a healthy fashion!) but I have to say that Happy Herbivore Abroad is my absolute favorite of the three cookbooks.  I don't know if it is the traveler and Spanish teacher in me, but I really enjoy the flavors and variety in these recipes!  I absolutely love the amount of European recipes, specifically the Spanish recipes, throughout the cookbook.  I'm also impressed by the new layout and font.  It is really easy for me to understand how many people each recipes serves and the nutritional information for it.  Additionally, the recipes all call for ingredients that are easy to find, don't cost a lot and are probably already in my pantry.  It is completely accessible cooking for everyone--something that is usually not typical with cooking food from around the world.  As a travel junkie, I adore the stories she has behind each of the recipes and the pronunciation tips for foreign words.  Not only is this a cookbook but also a travelogue of her extensive adventures.  I found myself reliving many of my favorite travel memories through hers.  While nursing one night I sat down and read the cookbook as if it was an actual book and was really entertained.  She has surpassed my expectations with this cookbook--and I have to admit--I had really high ones given my travel experiences. 

Probably more exciting than receiving Happy Herbivore Abroad was my chance to interview Lindsay about the cookbook!  I was definitely a little star-struck to get this opportunity.  Hearing her take on her new book was very cool:

Ashley:  As a Spanish teacher, I love to travel as well. I find that when I do, I discover almost more about myself than I do about my destination. Have you had a similar experience?

Lindsay:  Yes! I have a story in Abroad about exactly that! Actually, two of the stories in there could fit this description...

 

Ashley:  Being vegan on my most recent trip to Spain forced me to try new foods that I wouldn't have otherwise. What advantages and disadvantages does being vegan while traveling pose for you?

Lindsay:  Like you, I find eating a plant-based diet encourages me to try foods I wouldn't have normally tried. I always like tell people that my diet is much more varied now on a plant-based (vegan) diet than it ever was when I was an omnivore. Being plant-based has opened me up to so many foods, ingredients and cuisines I would have never tried as an omnivore. The only disadvantage is that it's not always convenient -- but that's true no matter if you're in small town U.S.A. or Rome. Eating a plant-based diet takes patience and creativity at times, especially when you're abroad, but I've always been able to find food. I've found Spain to be one of the easiest and most accommodating countries!   

 

Ashley:  I see you've been to many countries where you don't speak the native language. How do you manage staying plant strong and communicating your needs?  Any tips?

Lindsay:  I speak Spanish, French and some German -- enough to get by and communicate my needs. In other countries, where I don't speak the language at all, I always take notes with me -- food words, how to explain my dietary preferences in their native language. I'll get a phrase book, etc. so I still can communicate, just not well. I've also noticed that English has become more widespread throughout Europe, especially in the bigger cities because of tourism, and many restaurants offer English menus.  

 

Ashley:  What is the craziest meal you've tried while traveling?  Did you enjoy it?  Will we see a recipe in Happy Herbivore Abroad?

Lindsay:  I'm not terribly adventurous with my food -- but I did eat a fruit once that looked, and, in my opinion, tasted like an eyeball. I was assured it was not an eyeball...  

 

Ashley:  While in Spain last year I saw a TON of vegan graffiti and support for the first time. Do you feel like you've noticed in your travels that the plant strong community is getting bigger throughout the world?

Lindsay:  I saw a huge difference on this last trip, compared to five years earlier. I saw a lot of vegan graffiti, stickers and other posters about being vegan. I ran into an Italian animal rights group demonstrating at fashion week in Milan and they were so excited that I was plant-based. I've also noticed more and more restaurants, bars, etc. offering clearly marked vegan and vegetarian meals in the bigger cities.  

 

Ashley:  What's your favorite recipe in Happy Herbivore Abroad?

Lindsay:  Asking a chef to pick their favorite recipe is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child :)  

 

Ashley:  Do any of your recipes hold special memories from your adventures?

Lindsay:  Most of them! There's a story attached to nearly every recipe in the book.   

 

Ashley:  Are these recipes as accessible to the everyday cook since they have an international flair?

Lindsay:  Yep! That was my main goal -- international flavor, using everyday ingredients we all have in our pantry.  

 

Ashley:  What are you most proud of with this new book?

Lindsay:  There's so much of me in this book. It's very personal, especially with all the memoir bits. It's not easy to brave your soul to the presses! I'm really proud of this book. It's a beautiful book.

 

 

So if you still aren't sure of how awesome this book is, let me show you a few recipes I have made!  Keep in mind that these pictures were taken from my iPhone and I am not a good photographer.  First, I had to try the paella!

At first I wasn't sure how I would like it since it doesn't have saffron in it, but it was amazing.  Besides a quick whiz of my food processor, this is pretty much a one pot meal that doesn't need a lot of fuss-great for a week night meal.  I loved the al dente taste of the rice...just like the paella I've had in Spain many times!

Since I can't really go to Spain right now because of our newest addition, I wanted to have a tapas night in.

I made Patatas Bravas, Tostada con Tomate, and "Cheater" Romesco Sauce.  I added a few olives on the side, per Spanish tapas tradition, and washed it down with the Tinto de Verano recipe.  The sauce for the patatas bravas was great and really easy!  I did have to cook my potatoes longer than the recipe states but that is ALWAYS the case for me...maybe I chop mine too big?  Since it is so cold out I broiled my zucchini instead of grilling it and it was delicious with the romesco sauce.  Tastes just like when I last had it in Toledo in a cool restaurant that was somewhat underground/cave like when out celebrating my co-worker's surprise engagement that I helped with!  The tostada con tomate (which is usually for breakfast but I love so much and can't resist) was amazing.  I didn't have a cheese grater so I had to use a microplane.  That took quite a bit more effort but the result was delicious and very authentic!  And the tinto...so good.  Reminds me of the Kalimotxos I used to drink when I studied abroad.  Now if only I could get Fanta Limón here in the states as well...

To keep things well balanced among my Spanish-speaking countries I made the Quick Mole Chili and Morir Soñando for lunch.

The chili was unbelievably easy and quick, as was the drink.  I love the name of the juice drink...to die dreaming...since I have the Japanese character for "dream" tattooed on my shoulder for my habit to constantly dream.  My oranges weren't that sweet so I did have to add some agave but I can only imagine how much better it would taste with really good oranges.  The chili had a nice subtle chocolate flavor without being sweet...the perfect mole taste. 

Lastly, I made the Stuffed Acorn Squash because it is getting chilly here in Michigan and I wanted some warm comfort food.

I really liked the spices and raisins in the stuffing.  I don't think I would have thought to use them in a stuffing before.  I also enjoyed the use of quinoa instead of rice because I love how quinoa adds protein and is super quick to cook.  It was a very easy recipe and one I will make many times again...besides the acorn squash I almost always have all of the ingredients in my house!

Well, if this post hasn't sold you on how awesome Happy Herbivore Abroad is then I don't know what will!  I really can not sing enough praises for it.  For more reviews, follow the Twitter hashtag #HHATour. 

Happy Herbivore Abroad is available now on Amazon but I am lucky enough to give away one copy to a reader!  To enter, leave a comment below (I have to approve comments before they post, just FYI when you post them) telling me either what your favorite travel memory is or what your favorite food while traveling has been.  Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.  The giveaway will end Saturday night, 12/1/12 at 11:59PM.  I will post the winner on Sunday and choose the person by using http://www.random.org/integers/.  The giveaway is only open to those in the USA and Canada.  Good luck!  :)