This was the sort of weekend where you stay so busy you aren’t really sure it ever happened.
Not that I’m complaining – catering and cupcakes iced with a little chillaxing is a good time.
This week I am looking forward to sharing some fun new recipes with you, but for today I’ll stick to the highlights. Here is the Top 5 from a weekend so crazy that I was in bed by 11p last night (that’s unheard of for me).
1. Say Cheese
Though I spent a lot of time prepping Saturday’s catering gig, I took a little break to make a hummus, veggie, and cheese board.
A wandering afternoon in the cheese department while was supposed to be catering-shopping lead to the discovery of a new favorite cheese. Mitica Quadrello di Bufala (buffalo’s milk cheese).
I’m not ashamed to admit… I couldn’t stay vegan for the love of cheese.
2. Wedding Shower Catering
This was my second “official” catering job and it went really well. The event was a was a joint wedding shower for a bride and groom. I was asked to come up with a “Southern” menu for ~30 people.
On the Menu:
- Chipotle Roasted Corn Hummus (remember this from last summer?) with veggies and chips
- Spring Endive Boats
- Caper and Chive Deviled Eggs
- Mac ‘n Cheese Minis
- Whiskey BBQ Turkey Sliders
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting
If it’s any indication of success, there was hardly any food leftover. 🙂
Recipes coming throughout the week!
3. Easter Bunny
Sunday I woke up still exhausted from the previous day’s catering; however, I was energized by the fact that the Easter Bunny had come!
I will always spend the night at my mom’s on holidays. Shameless.
4. Poolside Mimosas
A girl’s day by the pool with my mom and baby sister was just what I needed. That and a tasty mimosa.
We laid out, talked, and ate a poolside Easter lunch of watermelon salad, endive salad, pretzel bread, carrot soufflé, and mac ‘n cheese. I was too busy chillaxing to take pics of any of it. #fail
5. More Cupcakes
4 dozen Chocolate-Nutella cupcakes in one weekend clearly wasn’t enough. We came in from the pool and wanted something sweet. Being a good kid, I whipped up some vanilla bean cupcakes to go with the last but of Nutella icing.
This recipe will be coming soon!
This week I was all about the P90X. I’m still not following the prescribed program, but I did a workout with Tony Horton just about every day this week. Good thing because my diet was abysmal.
#PROOF
Workout Recap (4/2 – 4/8):
- Monday – P90X Shoulders/Arms, Ab Ripper X
- Tuesday – This Tuesday Trainer Tabata workout from Lindsay (50 sec work, 10 secs rest, 2x), 6 min plank rotation, 100 push-ups
- Wednesday – P90X Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X
- Thursday – P90X Cardio X, 100 push-ups
- Friday – P90X Biceps/Back, Ab Ripper X
- Saturday – 100 push-ups, 90 squats, rest/cater
- Sunday – P90X Plyo, 100 push-ups
***
And now the reveal you’ve all been waiting for. What was the “lie” from Friday’s post? #9 “Monday night I ate octopus for the first time.”
Many of you guessed the right answer, but for the wrong reason. I have NEVER eaten octopus. The tentacles creep me out.
Did the Easter Bunny come visit you?
What food prevents you from ever going vegan/vegetarian, or – if you are vegan/vegetarian – what food was hardest for you to stop eating?
Ooh glad your catering gig went so well love!! 🙂 As for the octopus it weirds me out too… ickk the texture just isn’t the one!! :/ And in answer to your last question it has to be meat and cheese. I find it so hard here and can’t wait till I can buy organic, ethically farmed meat. I will only eat it every now and again but it will be nice to have the option and not feel so guilty about it! Mmmm steak… 🙂
Thank you!!! You would be in heaven here – fresh meat and cheese plates are now on EVERY restaurant menu.
Congratulations on the catering – the food looked fabulous! I will be trying the roasted corn hummus – looks delish.
I never would have guessed the octopus – I thought the walking at 6 months for sure. Seems like you had strong legs from the start ; )
Do let me know how you like it! It’s my favorite hummus. 🙂
I got it right although I said it was because you didn’t like seafood!
Sounds like a good weekend to me. Especially the cupcakes and mimosa.
Holy Biceps! those pushups are doing some good!!
LOL! Thanks, love. 🙂
So, I’m thinking if I do a bridal shower, I may have to talk to you about catering! That spread sounds and looks amazing.
And ditto to what Lindsay said, holy biceps!
I would love that. Thank you. 🙂
Wow I didn’t realise you were a caterer- now I wish I lived nearer to ATL…everything looks/sounds delicious! Congrats on its success :)! And for what it’s worth, I feel you on the cheese…it’s part of my reasons for not even considering veganism! Greek yogurt & eggs are also right up there in my list of foods I could never live without (watch me just jinx myself)!
Am I?! This was only my second time getting paid for it… it’s a ton of work, but it is SO much fun.
Greek yogurt is up there for me too.
The octopus was my second guess it indeed looks gross and I just couldn’t quite picture you eating it…but the hamburger seemed like the winner (OH WeLL!).
So glad that the shower went off without a hitch and cupcakes, you just can’t go wrong with them. I can’t wait for some of the recipes because the pics are tantalizing.
I love that you spend that night at your mom’s house and you got an awesome basket to boot (with Tom’s…I am so jealous). I didn’t get a basket but I did get a weekend in Asheville with no kids and a massage…good food and time with my husband. All in all a good weekend.
As for current dietary status I think it is vegan. I can live without any animal products but cheese calls my name sometimes (I think it is the addictive additives).
Anyway that is a super long response 🙂 Have a great Monday Laura!
Thanks, Rachel! It would have been so much fun if you were here to be my sous. 🙂
Glad you had a good weekend too! 🙂
you’ve got talent girl! all that food looks amazing.
Look at you! I can’t wait for the recipes, the entire menu sounds delicious! I had a pretty laid back Easter too, ate lunch and hung out with my family before returning back to Atlanta and chilling here. A pool and mimosas sounds amazing.
Thank you! Wasn’t it gorgeous here on Sunday? Glad you had a nice weekend!
Cheese keeps me from being vegan! And eggs 😉
I’m shocked… 😉
I knew your catering was going to look awesome. I’m kind of hoping bb ends up at Emory next year now 🙂
Your Easter looks perfect. I miss my mom’s easter basket this year :(…never too old.
I could not be vegan for greek yogurt and seafood. Cheese is up there too – esp goat cheese.
That would be awesome! #1 We could hang out and #2 Emory is one of the prettiest campuses I’ve ever seen – you’d love it.
Wow – busy weekend indeed!!
Glad your catering shindig went well! All of the food looks really good so I’m excited to see those recipes posted soon. You are right about the cheese. I’ve tried to cut out dairy from my diet but a life without cheese just isn’t worth living. So for now, I just eat much less of it, it becomes a treat that way too.
I do the same now. I eat my cheese in moderation and I only eat the good stuff – it has to be “worth it.”
Hands down, cheese keeps me from being vegan! I don’t miss anything else… but cheese? Ah, vey!
I’ve enjoy Mitica Quadrello di Bufala before (good stuff)….but I’m still waiting for my shipment of those cupcakes to enjoy. When can I expect delivery?
Hahahaha! It;s pick up only. You guys will just have to roadtrip to the ATL.
Well be careful what you offered. If I was at Augusta to cover the tournament there might be a knock. 😉
I’ll admit it – cheese was the hardest for me to give up. I think that’s a pretty normal reaction. 🙂 I’m so happy that I’ve found and learned to make so many creamy substitutes — and I’m extremely thankful for Daiya! =)
Ok, I could permanently be vegan if I could follow you around and eat your food all day. 🙂
That looks like a great menu with lots of crowd pleasers. 🙂 I need a break from my weekend too. Being out of town is cool, but coming home to housework doesn’t make for a relaxing Sunday.
If my holidays turned out like yours, I would stay at mom’s every holiday, too! 😉
Want the recipe to the Mac ‘n Cheese Minis. Looks like a sort of less guilty way to enjoy mac and cheese. haha.
Come on over! 🙂
Mac and cheese is coming soon… I think Thursday… (I’m a terrible post panner – doh!)
Busy, busy weekend indeed! But it sounds like it was a good busy filled with lots of food and family. 🙂 Too cool re the catering job…the food looks delicious! I’m sure everything was a hit.
Chillaxing – ah, love it… I always learn something new when I visit you Laura – and not just about food! :).
Haha! Isn’t that a great word?
Wow, Laura, I’m so impressed with your catering skills! I would hire you in a second if I had an event in GA. : ) Sounds like a lovely Easter… does your family cook like you? Or did you offer to prep the lunch for everyone? We weren’t with family for Easter day, but would have had a hard time getting them to eat endive salad and carrot souffle instead of ham and potatoes. 🙂 Yes- I’m with you on the cheese. Cheese and eggs were what I missed most on the March vegan challenge. And amazing weight all week, I’m always inspired by your workouts.
Thank you!! My mom is an excellent cook, though I didn’t get into it until I moved away from home. It was either that or starve. 🙂
Same problem with the cheese especially mozz on a pizza. Congrats on your catering gig.
That’s a good one – especially the good, fresh bufala mozzarella.
What’s your fav P90x workout if you only have an hour?
That’s tough… I love the Tris/Chest one because I’m a glutton for punishment with the push-ups. If I really want to sweat I do the Plyo. And if I only have 15 mins in the morning, Ab Ripper is perfect start to the day!
Wow, you had a crazy weekend! That cheese board looks divine–buffalo milk cheese is one of my new favorites, too. I’m glad the catering gig went so well!
I TOTALLY stay with my parents overnight for holidays – and I swear I sleep better there then anywhere else! I plan to do it until I can’t. Congrats on your successful catering job – I found some jobs I’m applying for in Atlanta, so I’m prepared to eat your cooking soon! Glad you had a great weekend!
Keep me posted on ATL! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. That would rock if you moved here!
Oh yes, the Easter bunny came from Germany – my parents sent the BEST Easter package 🙂
Those cupcakes look great!
Lucky you!!! And how sweet of your parents to ship all the way from Germany!
I couldn’t be vegan because of cheese. I crave it all the time!
Your catering spread for the shower looks amazing. Great job!
Especially when Atlanta can be something of a cheese heaven… Star Provisions makes me weak in the knees. 🙂
Ooh, what a wonderful preview of your forthcoming recipes!
I am also an early riser…. 11pm is super late for me, too! 🙂 What time are you usually in bed by?
I am terrible – I typically cannot fall asleep before midnight at the earliest.
I seriously want to have a party solely to have you cater for it. 🙂 You are amazing. Um, yeah, and I WISH I could stay the night at my mom’s house to get an Easter basket. Or maybe I can convince her to deliver. Ha! Can’t wait for some fun recipes this week!
I would LOVE that. Everything would be green and involve chocolate. 🙂
Congrats on your second catering job…and yes, I DO remember that hummus…and how much I wanted to make it…and never did…
Also, there was a big debacle the year my mom and aunt didn’t get my cousin and I Easter baskets, and only the two youngest cousins received them. She is still trying to make up for it to his day.
Thanks! You should totally make it. It’s vegan! 🙂
So did you get an Easter basket?
Wow…busy busy busy – looks like it all was awesome. Your menu sounds fabulous – its rare I go to an event like that – that I can actually eat more than the hummus and veggies. Great Job! My weekend was awesome – loved my running blate…plus soaked up tons of family time!
xoxo from the Houston airport
I’m catching up on your last few posts… I take it you’re not eating vegan anymore? (NO JUDGEMENT!! I’m not vegan!!) 🙂 The hummus/cheese plate looks SO awesome!
And congrats on your catering gigs- I’m sure it’s high stress, but super exciting at the same time!
I always spent the night at my parents’ house in Christmas eve before I met my husband. And we still always go there on Christmas eve now! Man, I wish I celebrated Easter. Everyone’s baskets that I’ve seen look awesome!
I’m not… I’m going with a plant-based diet, but don’t want to limit myself when I want a taste of something cheesy. 🙂
So glad the catering went well! I can’t imagine making that much food!
It’s not for the faint of heart… but it’s so much fun to see people enjoying it!