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 pepita 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
- Large scoop of Perfected Chickpea Salad (from OSG cookbook) or Flaked Almond Tuna Salad
- 1/2 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon pepita seeds
- Creamy Lemon Dill Dressing
Directions
- Add greens into a large bowl. Layer on your desired toppings and drizzle on the dressing and garnish with hemp/pepita seeds.
Tip:
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
This is my first post ever on your blog! I just wanna say I am a huge fan of your blog and life style, it always makes me smile when I read a post! This blog post of yours, this one is very special:) I am so happy for your wee one to be! I am a mother as well and I have to say it is a spectacular feeling! My daughter is Willow, she is one, and is just like me! She is my world! Good luck with everything!
Congratulations! I dont even know you, LOL! but, I can tell from following your blog these past months that you will be a great mama :~) so happy for you and your hubby.
also, I love this salad dressing with cashews (it reminds me of the “vegan sour cream” recipe) deliciousness! I used dried dill-weed and added more than 1/4 cup of cashews for a bit thicker dressing. came out great.
I loved the hummus as well. I added some “mild chili tabasco sauce” that I have used in the past for regular hummus. The flavor may sound strange with the sun-dried tomato’s, but I think it tastes great.
Awww yay!!! Congratulations!!
Congratulations to both of you
Congratulations! how exciting for you both!
Congratulations! Such exciting news.:)
Congrats on your wonderful news! I’m delighted to hear another vegan baby will be coming earthside in September. I’m a HypnoBirthing practitioner and doula. I love all thing birth. Hope you’ve found a great midwife to support you.
Congratulations and I am sure baby is loving this deliciously healthy meal =)
Congratulations Angela and of course Eric too!! What wonderful news! Here’s to many more wonderful memories during your journey through pregnancy and exciting blog post! I’m sure once baby Oh She Glows is here there will be many new vegan recipes for baby too!! Your adorable kitty cat will have a new play mate down the road of course : )
Congrats! That’s so exciting!
OVERJOYED! Your good news has just made my day! Hold on to your hat this is going to be the greatest year of life so far.
Hmm…I made the lemon dill dressing last night and had it in the fridge all night but it’s still super runny. Not sure what I did wrong. Tastes delicious though!
Congratulations!! I hope you enjoy every minute of the the pregnancy journey, it’s amazing.
Oh I am so HAPPY for you!!!! My baby boy (well he’s 22 LOL! but he will always be my baby) was born on September 20 hope you have he or she on that day.. I love the pictures you are so beautiful!!!
P.S. I LOVE YOUR BLOG!! You inspired me to go Vegan!! I look forward every morning to reading your posts! Please keep the wonderful recipes coming!
Congrats!i hope the best for you all:)
Wow congratulations Angela! You and Eric must be so excited =) And a September baby is just great. I can’t wait to see your pregnancy pictures along the way.
This bowl looks delicious!!!
Angela,
I’m so happy for you and the little one (and all of your success)!! Now that you are in baby mode I have an important question for you! As huge influence in my life for over a year, I trust your advice. After breastfeeding for a year, what should I give her in place of milk – almond, rice milk…? As vegans (with a ton of allergies too) I want to make sure she is getting all of her nutrients. What would you recommend?
I’ve been super busy lately and just been catching up on your website today! What great news! Congrads to you and Eric, that is so awesome, you truly will be amazing parents, much Love Tanya :)
Congratulations! :) so happy for you both. The news has me grinning from ear to ear.
Oh, and the hummus is delicious too-thanks :)
Oh my gosh, how exciting!!! I’m so incredibly happy for you!! I’m also pregnant with my first (expecting Oct 24), and my husband and I are so thrilled!! The pregnancy hormones are seriously no joke — week 6 hit me so hard! Finally at 11 weeks I’m starting to feel a bit better… but for 3 weeks I hated vegetables and oatmeal, both of which I ate all the time before getting pregnant! I’m so happy for you both, and it will be so fun to share in your journey along the way. Congrats again!! :)