Murphy’s Law of Vegan Baking:
When you desperately want a new recipe to work out, it won’t.
This is why you got a 1,000 words post yesterday instead of the recipe that Eric and I made!
We made vegan banana bread and while it turned out pretty good, it needs a few tweaks until I am ready to post the recipe. I think I used too much baking soda!
It will be coming soon though. I already picked up some ripe bananas on the drive home.
Yesterday was Boxing Day and boy did we ever have a feast! My mother-in-law, Margaret, always has her big Christmas dinner on Boxing Day and it was pretty much a full day of face stuffing from breakfast until dessert around 10pm. I’m feeling like I have a bit of a ‘food hangover’ today!
As per usual, she rocked the table decor once again. My MIL is the queen of table settings.
Every holiday she does something completely new and it always looks stunning.
I was in charge of the name tags. ;) It has been so long since I have used cursive hand writing though, I felt a bit rusty!
We polished off many bottles of wine! Yes, yes, we did.
And we feasted on incredibly delicious food!
Classic Stuffing, turkey, asparagus..
Caesar Salad…
Brussels sprouts & carrots…
My MIL’s famous Croquettes (her mom’s Irish recipe) are below. We also made a vegan version this year using almond milk and Earth Balance (on the right) and Eric said he could barely taste the difference between the two! I was really happy to be able to enjoy them again.
My MIL also surprised me with this amazing vegan wheat berry and navy bean salad that was TOP SECRET until dinner was served!
It was absolutely amazing and everyone raved about it. If you guys are interested, I will get the recipe and do a recipe post on it.
I was quite hungry when dinner was served and I STUFFED myself until I was literally uncomfortable. I just couldn’t help myself!
I had a huge serving of the vegan salad (plus seconds), croquettes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, asparagus, salad.
I ate every bite!
For dessert I had 2 Nanaimo squares and a couple vegan gingersnap cookies.
And wine.
Too much for my belly!
We worked our dinner off with a couple hours of Kinect, dancing and boxing the night away! It was really fun playing it with a group of 10 adults, all drinking wine. ;) We laughed and laughed and the good times were a rollin’!
I lost a slipper in all the excitement! lol
I win. bahah
That would be the look of defeat on Eric’s face. LOL!
We drove home late this morning and the first thing I did when I got home is 1) Make a Green Monster, and 2) Convince myself that a workout would make all the difference. I hadn’t worked out in 3-4 days and it was really started to hit me and I was feeling so sluggish. I felt so much better after running a few miles, even if it wasn’t all that fun while I was sweating! It is hard getting back into the groove, but I find if I just focus on doing a bit at a time and not setting my goal too high, I am more likely to just do it.
I have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do the rest of the day. See you soon!
What an amazing time and beautiful pics!
I love family Wii Time, haha! :)
What a great spread of tasty food!
This post reminds me of two things: 1. My dad danced to Britney Spears’ Womanizer through the Wii game “Just Dance” over the holiday and it made my life. 2. I need some cardio in my life as well :)
I love how creative the table setting is!! So festive!!
I hear ya on the wine. My family and I went through quite a few bottles too hehe ;)
ohhhh, yes please share the recipe
Those table photos really “glow!”
Fun times with the video games! We enjoy playing the Wii, it seems like the Kinect takes it a step up!
Oh my goodness that game looks hilarious.
I can only imagine how much you guys must have been laughing.
Too cute!
Those photos are hilarious! I love that the whole family got involved. And delicious meal – I love all the vegan options. I ran today and it felt so good to get my body moving!
What exactly does one do on Boxing Day? Just that? Eat and chillax with family and friends? I’ve always wondered if there was a specific purpose to the holiday.
I’m an American. I’m dumb about these (and many other) things! ;)
The feast looks wonderful though! And I feel you on the workout. I just ran a measly 1.8 miles today (have been away from running for a little bit), and I didn’t enjoy it while it was happening, but I felt SO much better after! So good in fact that I decided to walk the 4 miles to work and get a little extra activity in. Activity is good!
I’m wondering the same thing. What is this “Boxing Day” you speak of? Actually, I’ll just google!
And yes, that navy bean recipe please!
Gorgeous!
Ps. My fiance looked over my shoulder as I was reading and thought the sidebar on your treadmill was your leg. Very impressed. “She’s really running!!”
Banana bread recipe? Yes please. Wheatberry salad recipe? Yes please!!!! I need some new recipes to get me back into good eating :)
All the food looks soooo delicious! & YES to the salad recipe pleaseeeee!! :D
Those Kinect pictures are priceless!!
That Murphy’s Law ALWAYS happens to me with recipes!!
I’m trying to get back in the workout groove after 4 days off, too. It’s tough!
yesssss it is, isn’t it?
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve made those pumpkin/brownie cupcakes over the past few weeks (and how many of them I’ve eaten myself. I think my boyfriend got one. Once.) Can’t wait to see what goals you are setting yourself this year/New Year resolutions. I’m trying to write mine but feeling very uninspired!
Love the action shot of you at the end! Merry Christmas!
Oh my gosh, please get the recipe for the vegan wheat berry and navy bean salad!! It looks absolutely amazing!
Ahh, what a fun day! Adult games + adult beverages always make for the best of times. For the record, I’d love to see the recipe for that wheatgrass salad – it looks amazing!
I can’t believe you can look so beautiful on the treadmill. When I’m on the treadmill I vaguely resemble a Christmas ham.
Such a beautiful post…love the delicious food pictures and your vegan loaf…looks fabulous!
Happy Holidays.