If it seems like I’ve said the word “birthday” a lot lately, you’re not crazy. I have a four person family, and our birthdays are all within 40 days of each other (and Christmas). It’s like a birthday bonanza. Let’s just say the wrapping paper comes out once a year and then *sayonara* until next December.
Yesterday was my beautiful mom’s birthday, so my WIAW is birthday/I’m-home-so-I’m-going-to-raid-my-parents’-fridge-themed. Glorious.
I started the day at Sweat on State for Tabata Tuesday. We did eight 20-second rounds of each exercise which included sprints, kettlebell deadlifts, mountain climbers on a medicine ball, push-ups, weighted lunges, and sit-ups. We had a staff meeting at the store just down the street so a few of us got our sweat on bright and early at 7am, thanks to some great coaching by Erin.
After the staff meeting I was a ravenous monster on my way to the train, so I stopped at my favorite bagel shop for breakfast. I wish I wasn’t so repetitive but yeah, I got another egg sandwich. This one is truly my favorite in the city, though. The Big Z — because nothing is yummier than an everything bagel stuffed with eggs, veggies, and melty cheddar. Get at me!
I got home around noon and spent the afternoon working on Community Development for the store. I’ve basically pressed “Snooze” on my responsibilities and initiative on that front after the crazy holiday season, but it’s time to get back to business. I’m excited to see the cool fitness leaders we’ll be getting in the store for demonstrations this upcoming year. While I worked I snacked on “lunch”, or two homemade bran muffins and a sliced banana. Raisins always belong in muffins. Always.
See that blank calendar? I have to fill it with community events in our store. As you can see it’s going swimmingly.
The real highlight of the day was dinner. We went to a little Italian restaurant in my hometown that my parents are in love with, and now I see why. Like most dining gems, this place was unassuming at best, hidden between a liquor store and a tattoo parlor in a strip mall. Yeah. But THE FOOD. Never have I ever had vodka sauce so decadent and flavorful.
Chianti + Bruschetta
Rigatoni a la Vodka. I added grilled chicken and spinach. And yes, I ate the whole thing.
The fam + a UFO in the background
We got home and did cake and cards, a ritual that was made even more fun thanks to some Chianti-inspired laughs. 
Happy Birthday Maja! Thank you for being the quarterback of our family 🙂 At the end of the day I know I can always count on you for anything. Thank you for being so supportive and kind to me this past year when I was going through tough times. You rallied me through it all! You made our childhood feel like a Disney movie, always playing songs and letting us dance around the house all day, using our imaginations and just being goofy kids. We’re all so lucky to have you.
Questions:
- Are your family members’ birthdays close together or far apart?
- What do you order at Italian restaurants? I used to be an eggplant parmesan fanatic!
i had a big lunch 
Oh man that dinner looks right up my alley! Gimme some red wine and pasta all day. My mom, sister, and I all have winter birthdays, so it at least gives me something fun to look forward to when it’s cold and miserable. I turn the big 3-0 in just a few weeks!
I only ever have red wine when I pair it with food but man it was so, so good! Winter birthdays are the worst in my opinion haha. But you’re right, it is something to look forward to I guess! Can’t wait to hear about the big 3-0!
My friends all hate raisins, but I am a big supporter of them in many of my foods!
Mmm it’s been a while since I had real vodka sauce with pasta. Now I want some!
I’m not a huge pasta person but this dish was PERFECT. Raisins are delish — especially the golden ones.
My husband used to get the “North and South” at Carrabas. Let me see if I remember this correctly: it was chicken parm, fettucine alfredo, and lasagna I think?
I don’t know how he is still alive. And yes to chianti 😀
Is Alex the Hulk????
Yum, what kind of cake is that? My sister and I have back-to-back birthdays! (Sep 25 & 26!)
It was vanilla with buttercream frosting and homemade raspberry filling. And of course it was 3 layers lol we go big.
Mmm chianti!
My mum and dad have their birthday 2 weeks apart – my dad’s birthday is Valentine’s Day! I don’t really get the chance to see them on their birthdays anymore but this year my mum and dad are coming down for the weekend on the 14th and I can’t wait to see them!!
That’s wonderful that you get to see them soon! Just in time for a romantic V-Day haha 😉
as much as i loooove marinara and tomato sauces, i’m not into Italian food at all…but my fam loves it, and we have our fave lil authentic Italian restaurant down the street from my parents’ house that we love to go to as a family as well. i always order a salad, because luckily they have huge, protein-laden salads that are delicious. my fave thing at an Italian restaurant would def be wine. always wine. 🙂
Same here! My family just loves this place. But I never crave Italian food. I feel like I have to eat a LOT of Italian food to feel full/satisfied even though i know it’s all dripping in oil and cheese. Wine is always a good choice 🙂
That cake looks incredible. And wine, well, we all know I am a big fan of wine!
Who isn’t?! It’s the perfect compliment to any meal! Or tv show…or game night…or book club….or….well for any reason, really 🙂
That pasta looked AMAZING! I love eggplant parm; that’s usually my go-to. Happy Wednesday!
That was my favorite food, hands down, for years! Isn’t it so delicious??
I love that you call your mom the quarterback of your family 🙂 Such a sweet paragraph dedicated to her at the end. Family is so important to me!
It’s the perfect way to describe her! She calls the shots and literally designs the “plays” so everything happens. I’m so lucky to have a solid family!
Your mom and my mom are almost birthday twinzies! (My mom’s birthday was Sunday). Our birthdays are all fairly spread out: January, February, April, May, and September. I guess I’m the odd one out not having a birthday a month after someone else in my family 😛 But my grandma’s birthday is two days after mine, so I’m not *totally* out of the loop haha.
Haha see that’s so nice! You get a whole year of celebrations 🙂 ours is like *bam bam bam* haha
Ok this post has me drooling over here. Chanti + vodka sauce = heaven! I typically order the Alfredo or something along those lines… YUMMMM
It was an incredible sauce. I usually just like marinara but the Yelp reviews basically demanded that I order the vodka sauce — and thank goodness I did! I wanna swim in that stuff
Happy birthday to your mom 🙂 I love going to visit my parents and eating #allthefood. I’m actually going to visit tonight and this weekend because my daddy’s birthday is coming up!! Italian food is one of my favorites and must be complemented with a glass of wine for sure. And I am particularly fond of anything cheesy and creamy 😀
The wine paired perfectly! Props to my dad for ordering it. Creamy and cheesy is a perfect combination for any kind of food.
Aw thats so sweet. Happy birthday to your mom! That bagel sandwich looks delicious and I want to eat it right now. Thanks for the shout out!! I was a lot more vocal during the 7 am class, but I’ll take your compliment.
Whenever I eat Italian I order something that consists entirely of pasta, cheese, and sauce. That’s it. SO GOOD.
Pasta, cheese, sauce…the perfect equation. We’ll have to get bagel sandwiches together soon! There are so many good ones in the city but this one’s the best.
Happy birthday to your mommy! I am also an eggplant Parmesan fanatic, so I always order it at Italian restaurants and non-Italian restaurants.
Eggplant parm is a clear winner! So delicious.
Love the family photo. My family all has their birthdays very close to one another too. And it’s definitely a season of parties.
Those bran muffins look delicious!
I like that phrase! Season of parties! And the bran muffins are so freaking good I don’t know how my mom does it — they’re not dry at all like most bran muffins.
Happy Birthday to your mom! That cake looks delicious 🙂 Eating at your parents house it the best.
Thanks girl! Yeah I always “borrow” stuff that I don’t want to buy myself…mainly things like spices and aluminum foil, things they’ll never notice are missing 😉 this is how I know I’m not a real adult yet…
Happy Bday to your Mom! You guys have a busy month and a half! Bdays in my family are evenly spread out with one every season! It’s quite nice. I love Eggplant Parm! I also love Beef Raviolis…but they have to be beef, not cheese! I can’t stand ricotta! Hole in the wall restaurants are ALWAYS the best!
Eggplant parm is clearly a fan favorite. It’s so, so good. Hole in the wall restaurants ARE the best — you just have to find them 😉
I love that bagel sandwich! There really is nothing better than a bagel to cure the hunger pangs. I’m glad your mom had a great birthday!
Everything bagel sandwiches are definitely in my top 5 favorite foods of all time. Deeeeelish.
So much fun and great pics!! You’re such a beautiful girl! So beautiful!! I always love your pictures because you look so happy!! You always make me smile!!
Yummy foods, too!! I love reading about food!! I love to eat!! Yum yum!! My fave meal is angel hair with marinara sauce + lots of mushrooms, green peppers, and onions on top!!
Have a wonderful Thursday!! XOXO
You are TOO sweet! What is it about green peppers and onions that just MAKE a pasta dish? That’s delicious! Isn’t reading about food the best? Except I’m ALWAYS hungry then 😉
Haha, this is the best. I swear every WIAW on here has been a birthday! All the better for treat meals though 😉
I never had vodka sauce until I went to America…I’m still confused as to what the vodka actually does !
What can I say my family likes to party apparently 😉 good question about the vodka! All I know is it’s deeeeeeelicious
PIZZZAAA!!! That’s what I’d do 😉 That’s a fun post Lauren, fun getting to know you betta!
Thanks, lady! Glad we’re both on the same page about the pizza 🙂