Party Recap
So the morning started off cloudy with a heavy rain shower that promptly created a sauna effect. But, the sun came out and the covers came off the lounge chairs. I must say, that everything turned out very nicely. The pool wasn't bath-water warm since we had the cool down over the past week. Our friends' daughter thoroughly enjoyed commanding Jason to spin her around and around and...around. Water was flying everywhere. Here are just a few pictures. I sort of fell down on the job and didn't get pictures of everyone.
Our friends' daughter is blowing bubbles for Heath to chase. This is his favorite game ever.
I think the food spread was pretty darn tasty if I must brag on myself. Everyone enjoyed the Lentil & Qunioa Sliders. The Apple Pie Cookies are all gone, most of the fruits and veggies disappeared. There were no complaints of a lack of meat. In fact, most everything I served was vegan minus the cheese dip. I ended up throwing together a last-minute Sundried Tomato & Basil Veggie Dip. Do you ever decide last minute to make something just before a party?
Sundried Tomato & Basil Veggie Dip
Ingredients:
1 package firm silken tofu
5-6 sundried tomatoes, re-hydrated, rough chop
2 cloves garlic, rough chop
Fresh basil (to taste, handful approximately)
1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
To taste: salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar
Directions:
In food processor, puree all ingredients until smooth. Re-season if needed.
Oh, and the Red, White, and Blue Sangria was also a huge hit as well. In fact, Jason ended up having to make more.
Sunday
This morning I got up far too early. I really had expected to sleep in a bit. But, I was half listening for my sister to get up. She typically wakes up early and heads out. I didn't want to miss her leaving, so I was awake and waiting. Oddly, she slept in though. Go figure. It game me some time to try to catch up on blogs and get the recap done though and ease into the day.
Today I did legs followed by MMA Kickboxing (2 combos and intervals as I was running short on time). I did all but the last 3 exercises as supersets of 3 sets of 8 reps. The last 3 were done as straight sets of 2 sets of 8 reps.
SS#1
Squats
Alternating plie squats
SS#2
Alternating lunges
Calf raises
SS#3
Step ups
Dead lifts
Squats with low-end pulse
Static lunges with low-end pulse
Single leg deadlifts
I had a pretty good workout and ended with a nice stretch.
My mom and her new boyfriend (?) came up for lunch. It was the first time I met him. I reused the Black Bean & Corn Salsa for burritos and tacos. We had a really nice visit. After they left, I hit the patio for some reading/lounging time. That's pretty much where I spent the last part of the day.
As of right now, dinner is completely undecided. I'll have to let you know what we end up doing for dinner tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a happy and safe 4th of July!
So the morning started off cloudy with a heavy rain shower that promptly created a sauna effect. But, the sun came out and the covers came off the lounge chairs. I must say, that everything turned out very nicely. The pool wasn't bath-water warm since we had the cool down over the past week. Our friends' daughter thoroughly enjoyed commanding Jason to spin her around and around and...around. Water was flying everywhere. Here are just a few pictures. I sort of fell down on the job and didn't get pictures of everyone.
I think the food spread was pretty darn tasty if I must brag on myself. Everyone enjoyed the Lentil & Qunioa Sliders. The Apple Pie Cookies are all gone, most of the fruits and veggies disappeared. There were no complaints of a lack of meat. In fact, most everything I served was vegan minus the cheese dip. I ended up throwing together a last-minute Sundried Tomato & Basil Veggie Dip. Do you ever decide last minute to make something just before a party?
Sundried Tomato & Basil Veggie Dip
Ingredients:
1 package firm silken tofu
5-6 sundried tomatoes, re-hydrated, rough chop
2 cloves garlic, rough chop
Fresh basil (to taste, handful approximately)
1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
To taste: salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar
Directions:
In food processor, puree all ingredients until smooth. Re-season if needed.
Sunday
This morning I got up far too early. I really had expected to sleep in a bit. But, I was half listening for my sister to get up. She typically wakes up early and heads out. I didn't want to miss her leaving, so I was awake and waiting. Oddly, she slept in though. Go figure. It game me some time to try to catch up on blogs and get the recap done though and ease into the day.
Today I did legs followed by MMA Kickboxing (2 combos and intervals as I was running short on time). I did all but the last 3 exercises as supersets of 3 sets of 8 reps. The last 3 were done as straight sets of 2 sets of 8 reps.
SS#1
Squats
Alternating plie squats
SS#2
Alternating lunges
Calf raises
SS#3
Step ups
Dead lifts
Squats with low-end pulse
Static lunges with low-end pulse
Single leg deadlifts
I had a pretty good workout and ended with a nice stretch.
My mom and her new boyfriend (?) came up for lunch. It was the first time I met him. I reused the Black Bean & Corn Salsa for burritos and tacos. We had a really nice visit. After they left, I hit the patio for some reading/lounging time. That's pretty much where I spent the last part of the day.
As of right now, dinner is completely undecided. I'll have to let you know what we end up doing for dinner tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a happy and safe 4th of July!
What a great get together, yesterday and today! I love lentil quinoa burgers! I enjoyed some lentil bulgur burgers tonight! I always decide last minute to throw something else together. I always feel like I need more out there! Your food looks delicious, as always Heather! Enjoy your evening!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun party! The sangria looks sooo good. I must've missed that post where you mentioned the recipe. That would've been awesome to have today. I guess there's still time ;)
ReplyDeleteIs Heath your dog? He's so cute! (I'm a sucker for animals) Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!!
I am so glad everyone had a great time. Heath is precious! Darn I really need to get that MMA kickboxing workout, LOL.
ReplyDeleteOf course I make things at the last minute for gatherings. Why? I guess I think there isn't quite enough food. Go figure, LOL.
talk to you later,
Ali
Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen Thanks girl! Glad I'm not the only one to get crazy and feel the need to do a last-minute recipes or dishes. Hope you have a great evening too!
ReplyDeleteEunice @ Food 4 Fitness Yep - he's one of our pups. He's a total goof too. All boy ;-) I think I posted the sangria recipe on Thursday perhaps. It's a goody!
Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I think you'd really like the boxing and kickboxing workouts. Lots of fun. I had a sneaking suspicion you'd do the last-minute recipes too. I always over do the amount of food! I do believe it's an Italian thing ;-)
O your are so domestic! your like the fit, vegetarian martha stewart! We made a sangria like that too!!!
ReplyDeleteDog chasing bubbles LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm typically bad with the camera too.
the dip looks great as does the r/w/b sangria!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pics!!!!!!!!!!
Only criticism? they are neck up!!?? wtf girl?! You need to show off that HOT BODY of yours and post the full on monty :)
xoxo
Sounds like a great party and the spread looks yummy! I love teh coordinating bikinis....was that planned?
ReplyDeletei always begged my parents to get me a pool in the backyard.. lol my neighbors have one but they have younger kids..so it would be weird to ask them to jump in altho ive contemplated sneaking over the fence.. :P
ReplyDeleteu truly are gorgeous!! just saying that cuz thats what everyone on here is first thinking <3
Eden's Eats LOL - guess I need to get my own magazine and tv show huh ;-)
ReplyDeleteApril @ The Weigh I Am Heath LOVES to chase the bubbles. He could do that for hours. I just got caught having fun rather than thinking pictures.
Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga I'll keep that in mind for future pics - but no promises. I felt weird posting those.
Bela @ It's Life, Max it Out LOL - no, not planned at all. We've just got very similar tastes! Hello Victoria's Secret catalogs ;0
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel Oh girl - you're going to make me blush. Seriously, thank you, you're far too kind!!!
Looks like so much fun! That dip sounds fab and you're absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeletexo
Yummmmm!! I must make those quinoa sliders. So creative! Looks like a wonderful time with family and friends. I love that!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I've missed reading your blog!!:) LOVE your bathing suit- WAY cute!! Looks like everyone had a blast. That sangria looks delicious! I made some with some cheap red wine & boy it was GROSS! haha! I had to dump it out. But that looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your vegetarian dishes, as usual :)
Sounds like a fabulous time. And that spread you came up with looks great. Especially the sangria. Oh why does alcohol have to look so appealing when I can't have any? LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great day!
I love the idea of red, white, and blue sangria. Sounds tasty, and is very clever.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking spread girl. The sangria was such a fun/patriotic idea! So glad the rain come and went and didn't put a damper on the party.
ReplyDeleteheather the food looks fabulous-especially the sangria! and you and your friend look so fit and healthy-WOW! does it feel like sometimes taking pics is just work? i too fell off the pic wagon last night and just did not WANT to take anymore pics. hope you are having a relaxing day today!
ReplyDeleteErica @ Fashion Meets Food Thanks girl! I really appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteLindsay @ Cotter Crunch I think family and friend weekends are the best.
Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices I guess I should have said, cheap but not TOO cheap ;-)
Tina @ Tina Bit of Faith Fitness and Fun Oh, sorry to be tempting you like that ;-) When the little one arrives, you'll have tons to celebrate and some sangria might just be in order.
Lisa @ Lisa's Foods on the Move It was really good - raspberries would have worked too. I will say, that after several hours, the strawberries sort of bleached out and turned the wine pink.
Lindsay @ Pancakes N Pajamas Thanks! I was definitely happy that the weather cooperated. It would have been fun either way of course.
Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something I should have noted that that's my sis. That explains the matching suits even more. LOL. Sometimes you just want to relax and have fun and forget the camera and your friends getting annoyed with you for making them hold off on eating a second while you take pics ;-)
wow! what good food you had and then what a fabulous work out! :)
ReplyDeleteOK I need to make that sangria STAT!! Glad you had such a wonderful 4th :-)
ReplyDeleteAllie @ Muscles are Hot Thank you - and thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJill @ My So Called Healthy Life LOL - let me know if you try it. I think the blueberry vodka may be the winning ingredient ;-)
I'm WAY behind on my blog reading - but I had to read yours, since you are my fave afterall ;-) I LOVE the recap of your party, it sounds like a total hit and woohoo on the people pics...you and your sis are so cute! Sooo reminds me of my sis and I...again. :-) That party spread looks ammmmaaaaazzzing too. You always impress me with what you whip up!!
ReplyDeleteYum, that food ALL looks delish!! And I love the pics - is that your sister with you, or a friend? Love the semi-matching bathing suits ;-)
ReplyDeleteJessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat Thanks girl! Too bad you guys couldn't have joined us!!
ReplyDeleteJolene @ To Be Determined Yeah the bathing suit thing was totally not planned. I guess great minds just think alike ;-)