A couple weeks after Christmas, I presented Eric with a small box wrapped in Christmas paper.
“I have a Christmas gift for you that wasn’t ready in time!”
He was a bit confused at first, but any confusion quickly faded at the proposition of another gift. Who doesn’t like a random gift in the dead of winter?
“Did you make it?”
“umm, part of it….just open it!”
I propped myself on the couch beside him with a nervous grin on my face, trying to calm the heart beating out of my chest. No such luck. My heart was about to explode.
He unwrapped the box – carefully and painfully slow as he usually does – and then opened the lid and lifted out a piece of clothing covered in tissue…
“Ange, are you pregnant??”
Tears were already streaming down my face and I could barely choke out, “We’re having a baby!”
And then he passed out. Just kidding!
After we screamed/hugged/celebrated, I showed him not one, not two, but four positive pregnancy tests because I’m a bit neurotic like that.
We’re simply over the moon with excitement and can’t wait to be parents! We have so much love to give this little one. And Sketchie is going to be the coolest big brother ever (obviously). I’m 14 weeks today, due on September 22nd…which feels so soon! I still can’t believe my body is growing a baby in there. Seeing tiny arms and legs wiggling around on the ultrasound and hearing a heartbeat is just the most unbelievable experience. I already love this little one more than I could imagine.
It’s been a wild start to 2014 in the Liddon household. We got pregnant, bought a house, my first cookbook launched, Sketchie had surgery and was diagnosed, I came down with the flu, taped two TV segments, worked on a new business venture, and we’ve been doing major renovations on the new house and packing for a move early April. Ok, scratch the packing part because I’ve only packed 2 boxes so far (oops). I’m hopeful that the second trimester will be less eventful, but knowing we got through all that makes me feel like we can handle whatever comes our way. Sometimes you just gotta take it day by day and keep the faith that it will all work out in the end. I’m counting my blessings every day and trying not to worry about things out of my control. Like pregnancy hormones…ha!
Today, I’m celebrating our baby-to-be with this multi-vitamin-in-a-bowl. Talk about a nutrient-packed salad. I need all the energy I can get these days. This recipe won out over a triple layer celebration cake, but I still think that cake might have to make an appearance at some point. Despite the wicked all-day nausea of the first trimester, I’ve still had an appetite for most vegetables which I’m so grateful for. Well, except mushrooms. I still can’t do mushrooms! Some day, I’m confident we will reunite. For now, Eric is having fun saying, “I told you mushrooms were gross!”
Groan.
This recipe has a few things going on because I wanted to make it extra special. The homemade hummus and salad dressing can be made in advance to save prep time and cut down on dishes. You can always use store-bought versions too. I’m going to share the hummus and dressing recipes in separate recipe cards and then share the salad at the end.
Don’t worry that the dressing in the salad photos looks a bit different than the dressing I’m sharing below. I initially made a balsamic tahini dressing (the darker dressing in the photos), but I ended up not loving it. This creamy lemon dill dressing that I made after compliments the salad much more so it’s the one I’m sharing today. I took a picture of it below so you can see what it looks like.
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Yield
1 1/4 cups
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
A quick and easy flavourful hummus that comes together in minutes! If you don't have any sun-dried tomatoes on hand, feel free to make it without.
Ingredients
- 1 small garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
- 3 tablespoons water
- drizzle of olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt, or to taste
Directions
- Mince garlic in a food processor.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the salt) and process until smooth. Add salt to taste and process again until combined.
Tip:
Tip: For a super-smooth hummus, pop off the chickpea skins (and discard) before beginning.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Creamy Lemon Dill Dressing
Yield
2/3 cup dressing
Soak time
2-8 hours
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This creamy lemon-dill dressing comes together in seconds and it's such a fresh compliment to a spring salad. If you aren't a dill fan, feel free to leave it out. It's still tasty either way! I recommend making this dressing the day before you plan to use it (or at least a few hours before if you can) because it thickens up in the fridge when chilled (however, it's not absolutely necessary to chill it first). This dressing is adapted from Vegan Yumminess.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I used 4 tbsp)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (see note)
- 1/2 small garlic clove
- 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Directions
- Soak the cashews in water for 2-8 hours before starting (to soften). You can skip this step if you have a Vitamix. Drain and rinse cashews before starting.
- Add all the ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth. Adjust ingredients to taste if desired.
Tip:
Notes: You can use dried dill weed instead of fresh dill. Add it in small amounts at a time, to taste (I would start with 1/4-1/2 teaspoon and add from there).
I prefer my dressing tangy, so I opt for more lemon juice. For a less tangy dressing, you can reduce the amount I used or you can add a touch of sweetener to taste.
For a nut-free dressing, try my Lightened-Up Lemon Tahini Dressing.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
The Nourish + Glow Miracle Bowl
Yield
1 large salad
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This bowl is packed with so many nourishing ingredients, you'll be glowing in no time! It's filled with a homemade chickpea "tuna" salad, homemade sun-dried tomato hummus, sliced avocado, hemp and petpita seeds, and and creamy lemon-dill dressing to top it all off. When you need a major energy boost, this salad is for you! Feel free to use your own hummus and dressing to save time.
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups Mixed Power Greens (or green of choice)
- 1/2 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/3 cup julienned carrots or beets
- 1 green onion, chopped
- Half avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup Sun-dried Tomato Hummus (link below)
- Large scoop of Perfected Chickpea Salad (from OSG cookbook) or Flaked Almond Tuna Salad (link below)
- 1/2 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon pepita seeds
- Creamy Lemon Dill Dressing (link below)
Directions
- Add greens into a large bowl. Layer on your desired toppings and drizzle on the dressing and garnish with hemp/pepita seeds.
Tip:
Note: If you need a nut-free dressing, try my Lightened-Up Lemon Tahini Dressing.
For the Flaked Almond Tuna Salad recipe, see this post.
For the Sun-dried Tomato Hummus, see this post.
For the Creamy Lemon-Dill Dressing, see this post.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)With a full heart and joyful belly,
mama-to-be and my lemon-sized little one
XOXO
Yeah!! Congratulations! What a beautiful family the four of you will be. .. ;) And congrats on your new cookbook. God is definitely shining on you in 2014. .. and always.
Congratulations! So, now people really can say “Oh, she glows!” :D (And I’m probably the 500th to say that, since there are 600 comments and I didn’t bother to read more than 4. lol)
Wow… Congratulations to you and Eric! I am a recent follower of your blog and have become quite obsessed with all the wonderful recipes on the blog and in your cookbook, which I have been carrying around with me, sharing recipes with friends. I can’t wait to follow along on this amazing journey. This is an incredibly special time, yet the best is yet to come!
Angela, congrats!!!!!!!! So happy for you!!
yay for September babies!! excited to enjoy this special journey with you :)
xo
Lori
This makes me tear up – all my biggest congratulations to you both! You are in for an adventure like no other and a love that takes over your hearts. Completely and forever. CANNOT wait to follow you on your journey :)
/Kristina from Sweden.
Millions of congratulations to you both! And, I am just loving your book… I don’t have any vegans/vegetarian friends around me and your book is so inspiring and beautiful… I feel like you’re my invisible friend or something, lol:)
Congrats to you both!
Whooohoooooo! This is great, delightfull news! Congratulations :)
I’m pregnant too, 22 weeks now. Isn’t it the most wonderfull feeling?
In a few weeks you will feel the baby move, something to look foreward to!
2nd trimester really ís better, so hang in there!
What amazing news! Becoming a mother to my daughter Iris has been unreal.
You look so beautiful. The second trimester is always better for not feeling sick:)
Congrats! Very exciting. I can’t wait for mom & baby recipes.
I cried! I feel like a longtime friend just told me really exciting news :) <3
So happy for you!!!
You have never had more of a glow!!!! congrats!
After so many beautiful wishes, I don’t have anything left to say except that you have worked very hard on every thing you do! Good luck on your new home, your new book.. and so excited for both of you! Thank for sharing great recipes all the time!
You are so beautiful. Inside. And. Out. –Thanks for all your great recipes. Good luck on your new ventures and your sweet little one. Sketchie’s gonna have some fun with his new sibling.
What a wonderful post!!! Many congrats and best wishes for a joyous pregnancy!
That made me break into tears! Congratulations for both of you, I know you will make loving and fun parents! We were just talking with hubby how wonderful it would be to have a baby and how much love we would shower the baby with. We still have decided to wait for a couple more years, but this makes me even more excited to follow your story, to see your beautiful baby born and grow. Blessings to you and your family!
Congratulations! I am so excited to hear this news because I just found out I am pregnant too and was panicking about finding plenty of protein and vitamin rich foods during my pregnancy. Now I know I can just continue to follow you and see what great recipes are coming out of your baby-growing kitchen. Lead the way vegan mama.
I was just going to say the exact same thing, Lauren! I just found out two weeks ago and I am so happy to have Oh She Glows for guidance!
Angela, so happy for you guys! That is one lucky baby to have such kind, beautiful, loving parents (and big brother).
WOW congrats Ange!!!! I remember following you from almost the very beginning (ie. 4-5 years ago and when the number of comments was about 100 :P) and look how far you’ve come! From your TO DIE FOR Glo bars (which I noticed the recipe for is in your new cookbook – Ah-ma-zing <3), to the Oakville Farmer's Market, to moving so many times, releasing a cookbook and now having a baby!!! You are such an inspiration and I know that this is only begins a new and wonderful chapter in your life. I can only wish you and your family the very very best! :)
Sending you all my love and best wishes,
Natalie :)
Congratulations! So exciting and happy to welcome another Vegan Mommy to the world!! Sending all 4 of you love, energy, and joy!
so cute, little baby orange. congrats and all the best angela!
What wonderful news! I read your blog all the time but this is the first time I’ve ever commented; mostly because I can relate! I too recently found out I’m expecting and have just entered my 4th month….very cute way to tell your hubby! I was not as creative and was more in shock! We’re very happy though as obviously you are too! Congrats! I’ll look forward to many more baby/mamma yumminess!
Ahhhh! Congratulations to the both of you. I delighted in reading your surprise, so sweet! That is definitely a wild start to 2014, hopefully it will settle down! But so many exciting things. So truly happy for you both :D
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations – so very, very exciting!! Lucky baby has picked great parents.
I don’t post often, but I love your blog… Congratulations!!!
How exciting! Congrats!! I was wondering when this would be news on your blog. :) Just had a feeling.
Aww congratulations Angela! I’m so excited for you and Eric and can’t wait to hear more about your journey the next few months!
Congratulations to you and Eric! You’re “glowing!”
Congratulations! Such an exciting time for you!! And I couldn’t believe your due date, my fourth was born on 22nd september which also happens to be my mum and dad’s wedding anniversary! Great recipe too, do you know if it is possible to get your book in the UK?
Congratulations! This is very exciting. I wish you all the best!
Congrats! I am so excited to hear the upcoming pregnancy updates! My birthday is September 20th, I approve the the due date, lol. I enjoy having my birthday on the fall equinox.
Congrats!!!!
OMG. Congratulations! So happy for you.
Congratulations!
Such great news…congratulations!!!
This salad looks amazing! I love everything you’ve included there. Congrats on the new addition!
I, too, in my excitement could not even read the entire post since I’m so happy for you and your husband!! You are going to be an excellent mom!! This baby is so lucky! Congratulations, Angela!!
Much love and best wishes as you grow this little one from scratch. I know that you will be wonderful parents.
What an exciting year its going to be !!! Congratulations, Angela and Eric! :) Enjoy Each moment, because time truly does fly when you are having fun!
Many congratulations, Angela and Eric. What a year you are having!! Hope all goes well with you all!
Congratulations on such wonderful news!!
Congratulations, Angela! That is wonderful news. And, a wonderful looking salad. :)
CONGRATS lady! I wish you & Eric all the best in your great new adventures. Oh, and the salad looks phenom, too!!
Congratulations!!! Such a lovely news. Lots of exciting times ahead :) In a couple of years time you might be making some yummy toddler/ kids meals ideas, that would be great ;-)
Hope your pregnancy goes well, enjoy every moment. Nothing more beautiful than having a baby.
Congrats!! We are due just a few weeks before you guys with our first baby as well! (Not to mention we got married the same month as you and Eric!) .. Kind of fun to have those similarities. :-) I am hoping and praying when baby comes, you have lots of wonderful homemade baby food ideas to post! I’m sure I would try all of them… Also, your cookbook is fantastic — I have already made a TON of the recipes and have loved them all. My favorite cookbook ever!
Congratulations!!!! Oh how exciting! Can’t wait to read your pregnancy updates and cravings :)
Congratulations! So exciting!! Have you been reading any good books about vegan pregnancy? Enjoy the second trimester! If you only you could bottle that 2nd trimester energy and save it for later. :-)
Congratulations!! Such happy news!
Congratulations! That is fantastic news. You and Eric are going to be wonderful parents.
Congratulations! You are going to have so much fun :)