This morning, I was going to show you all the food I ate yesterday.
Then I realized you see the same thing every week.
Oatmeal for breakfast.
Salad and some sort of protein/grain for lunch.
Fruit.
Nuts.
Mexican Food. Don’t believe me? I seriously eat Mexican food at least once a week. Today was no different.
Granola for another snack.
While delicious for me, it is probably really boring for you.
The above reasons are why I cannot be a food journal blogger. There’s only so many jokes I can make about eating nuts. By the way, that was a joke.. kind of.
So instead of showing you what I ate yesterday, I decided to mix it up.
Throw you for a loop. Keep you guessing.
Nope, still not pregnant. (Did I have anyone out there freak for a moment?)
Today, it’s all about what I ate at my sister’s baby shower!
My mom, aunt, and I threw her a shower the day before I went to Punta Cana, and everyone raved about the food. Seeing as it was 90+ degrees outside with 23092390% humidity, the usual Italian food catering was absolutely without a doubt not going to happen. Not to mention that I (1) cannot eat anything that they cater from Italian restaurants and (2) who really likes being weighed down with Italian food on a Sunday afternoon when there are cupcakes to be eaten?
My mom’s (business) partner had the great idea of doing different types of salads — perfect for a hot day in the Midwest!
We started with different salad bases — spring mix and a Caesar mix.
Provided the guests with different add-in options, such as grilled chicken and roasted vegetables…
Had a few salad “toppers” like tomatoes, onions, candied walnuts, and cranberries…
And then set out a few salad dressings from Trader Joe’s — oil and vinegar, balsamic, and raspberry vinaigrette.
On the side we had a fruit salad and a pasta salad.
As if that wasn’t enough food to make everyone stuffed, there was dessert to be eaten! My aunt and her friend went to the trouble of making a variety of cupcakes — all of which were gluten free! My aunt has found herself obsessed with gluten free cake mixes, which of course benefits me beyond belief.
We also had a trifle that I don’t remember everything that was in it — because seriously, everything was in it: brownies, cake, strawberries, caramel, whipped cream… everything. When I say “we”, I mean “everyone else but me” — always a sad moment.
Last but not least, my aunt made her famous Potato Chip cookies, which never disappoint — unless your body hates gluten. Seriously, I need this shirt.
All in all, I would have to say that it was quite a successful shower.
And that’s what I ate.. but not on Wednesday.
Question: What is your favorite spread when you go to family parties/wedding/baby showers?
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I love having a vast array of fruit!!! For my bridal shower they loved me enough to have fruit and healthy desserts! THAT my friends is love…..
You threw one heck of a shower for the sister! <3 sweet!
ps- those cupcakes are super cute, all different kinds! WOW!
I love the salad bar idea for a baby shower. Also love the pink+brown. So cute!
ALLL of the babies’ things are pink and brown. My sister is going to get so sick of that.
It’s kind of like the WF salad bar!!! Awesome that you got to eat so much of what was offered.
FRUIT is always the best. No no, just kidding. I love it when there’s guacamole. If there’s nothing else I can eat I will eat my weight in guac. Heck, I’ll do it if everything else there is vegan!
At the bf’s company anniversary party a few years ago they rented out the Hard Rock in DC and had all kinds of food stations set up throughout the restaurant. The best thing EVER was the mashed/baked potato bar. You got a potato or a giant martini glass of mashers and then loaded on whatever ridiculous array of toppings they had on the bar. It was ah-mazing.
We used to have a baked potato bar in college - I would get one every day for lunch!
I always love the fruit, cheese and pickles!
Haha I pretty much eat the same things on a day to day basis too. I try to throw a new meal in there from time to time to keep things interesting, but really, I could live off a few basic staples and be perfectly happy. As for my favorite spread at parties, it’s usually the fruit… especially because allergies often prevent me from eating most of the other stuff lol.
Love that you went with a “light” menu… everything looks perfect for a hot summer day!
Such a great shower!
This looks fantastic! In terms of favorite family spread, when we all camp together (maybe once a year?) we always do a “community” breakfast…everyone brings a dish. Best way to eat the best meal of the day!
aww congrats to your sister! everything looks delicious.
that’s exactly why I can’t be a food journalist too-my eats are always the SAME OLD!
LOVE that melon bowl of fruits!
I get excited about a nice, abundant fruit platter-all bright and vibrant!
And hummus and good, chewy bread.
I also love when people have deviled eggs…i love it!
Everything looks beautiful!
The shower looks beautiful! Having a ‘salad bar’ type meal was such a great idea!!
what a good idea to do a salad spread!
I love that I can sample a little bit of everything when I go to parties and showers. But if there are chips and French onion dip… I’m a goner. That is my weakness!
I’d leave that shower so fraking fat.
the fruit salad in the watermelon is aweosme!!! im with ya! my eats wud be boring.. im a creature of habit!
That salad bar looks so good!!!!! At olive garden they have gluten free items.
So lovely! My dad makes potato chip cookies too, but usually around the holidays, so they remind me of Christmas!
What an adorable shower, everything looks so cute!
Consider the loop thrown! haha I love it! mix it up as often as you like girl!
Congrats to your sister!!! what a beautiful spread of shower eats! I would have pigged out! =)
Looks like a great shower!
I love that idea!!! I will definitely use that the next time I have a gathering to plan
It all looks super healthy too, which is sometimes hard to find at a baby shower or other party/gathering.
My favorite spread is ABSOLUTELY is Christmas Eve at my mom’s house. This will be my first year eating meat-free during the holidays, but I am still really looking forward to it!
Instead of a meal, we do a gigantic spread of appetizers, cocktails and desserts. Which if you think about it, are all the best parts of the meal anyways.
The guests of this shower were very lucky! What fabulous eats!!
Everything looks delicious! Love the salad bar idea!
Everything looks amazing! I love the fruit salad in the watermelon.
Too bad you couldnt have some of the trifle!
I loved your different take on WIAW. I have never been to a party with such extensive salad options, but I Looove the idea. It’s so true that you really want to save room for dessert
It’s hard to leave these types of things without a stomachache, and it sounds like your guests were probably able to leave without one!
I love it when people fill watermelons with fruit salad!
So pretty!
That salad spread is such a great idea!!! And it looks delish! I wish food like that was the norm at parties!!!
What a great spread of food! I’m with you on the limitations - there are some sad moments at those types of gatherings. I always have a moment of silence when I see cheesecake.
I’m a little obsessed with the glass holders for the salad toppers. they look awesome!
I was just going to say the same thing! And the Mason jars for the forks and knives
I love them too! They’re my aunts but when I told her how much I liked them, she said I could have them! I almost brought them home until I realized I have nowhere to store them.
I love fruit pizza! We had some at my cousin’s shower a couple weeks ago and it was a hit! Also, homemade chocolate covered pretzels rolled in heath bar crumbles = delicious.
- Nicole
That is dream party food for me!! Lots of options, healthy with fun desserts!!
That trifle looks amazing!! I would’ve had to just look at it too…
Sometimes you gotta hate that gluten hates you!
POTATO CHIP COOKIES…UM i am making those. Your sista is so beautifulllll is it a boy or a girl?! And when’s you brithday, I’ll buy you that shirt. <3
It’s a GIRL! She is due on September 16h, and the name they have picked out is Aubrey.
And you’re promising too much - my birthday was on Saturday.
If you finally do get pregnant and choose to share it on CEC…it will take you like…5 posts to get us to believe you.
Oh, the irony.
I have always loved the idea of salty and sweet together…those potato chip cookies sound good. I would dip them in my latest obsession: Sea Salt in my chocolate almond breeze. Just a sprizzle brings out the sweet.
My favorite right now is sea salt lindt!
I love this idea of the salads -that is perfect and exactly what I always hope is available and events like this!
My fam usually does a fruit and salad bar. Everyone brings a salad, a few people bring dessert and the person hosting provided da drinks
cake at a baby shower is a must….for me at least haha
Oh this is super fun! Looks like a great salad bar. All the roasted veggies and stuff look so good. And i could definitely go for some trifle right now…
I love the salad bar idea!! Yum. It’s so hot in the Midwest - it needs to tone it down a few degrees! The decorations are so adorable. I love them. My favorite thing to eat at showers used to be the veggie pizza - but sadly, not anymore, so now I look forward to the guac and the veggie tray
I’m going to a baby shower in 2 weeks at an Italian restaurant where they have gf pasta.. I’m beyond excited!
PS: I totally need that shirt too.
Oh wow, your family sure know how to put on a spread!!
I’ve hardly been to any weddings / baby showers - I guess I’m not at that age? - but I can imagine anything catered by Whole Foods would be like a dream come true….
What a great idea for a summer shower! That trifle looks absolutely sinful!
Fruit, fruit, and more fruit
Congrats to your sister! When is she due?
Looks like a delicious spread! That’s such a good idea to let people create their own salads. I love lunch spreads with make your own cold cut sandwiches, fruit salad, a cheese plate, and any kind of salad!
pink plastic cutlery? want. need. MUST HAVE.
I seem to have no problem following a 98% vegan diet until I get to a party and there is a cheese spread and lose any sort of self-control or concept of socially acceptable eating behaviors. Something about the “free” and “bite-sized” that I just cannot resist!
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