Monday Morning Meeting: Embassy Tours, Mother’s Day and the Best Meal I’ve Ever Made

It was a pretty low-key weekend overall.  Courtney has a final this morning, so he had to keep his head in the books.  Not that I can’t find ways to entertain myself…

One Saturday a year, the European embassies open up their doors for tours.  It really is a pretty opportunity to see the inside of the embassies, which are usually closed to the public.  And of course it involves samples of the local cuisines.  We’ve never gone because frankly, I’m a little put off by crowds and the prospect of trying to trek from embassy to embassy, but Courtney needed a little study break and this seems like the kind of thing you should take advantage of if you live in this city.  So off we went early afternoon with only a little bit of a plan.

Turns out you really need to set out in the morning with a lot bit of a plan if you want to see many of the embassies.  But we did manage to try some beer, strange snacks, tree cake and circle dancing (really glad there’s not a video) at the Lithuanian Embassy and kielbasa, pierogi and amazing sour kraut at the Embassy of Poland.  Then we headed over to the Belgian Embassy where as you might expect given the fact that they were offering waffles chocolate and beer, the line wrapped around three blocks.   Oh, and they were out of beer.  My phone died before I got any relevant photos, so all I have for you from the Belgian Embassy is some funny business with a Smurf…

I will tell you that after being funneled in line all the way through the embassy corridors (this particular embassy is more like an office building than a home), we each got a box of very delicious Belgian chocolates and what quite possibly was the best waffle I’ve ever had.  But unfortunately all I got pictures of was the Smurf…

Saturday night I made some amazing spicy Indian chicken wings, which Courtney threw on the smoker.  Proof I’m still a carnivore:

And Sunday, of course, was Mother’s Day.  It has become a tradition in the past few years for my gift to my Mother to be a homemade feast.  Cooking for people is one of my very favorite ways to show people I care about them, and since Mom loves a nice home cooked meal it works out well.

One Year Ago
Two Years Ago

Well, this year I think I outdid myself.  In fact, I will venture to say this was the best meal I’ve ever made.  How fitting that a very special meal was for my very special mama!   It’s not that each component on it’s own was the best thing I’ve ever made, but as a whole, this meal wins. Unlike my usual multi-course feasts, there was no course that I found reason to criticize.  Everything came out just right.  Oh, and it was entirely vegan and gluten-free.  The recipes will be showing up here soon, but here’s a sneak preview!

From Top:
“Life Changing” Nut & Seed Bread with Vegan Garlic Feta
Avocado, Grapefruit and Beet Salad
Vegan Carrot Soup with Toasted Chickpeas and Tahini Crema
Raw Vegan Dark Chocolate Caramel Tart with Orange Zest and Sea Salt

Sweat Log:
With Courtney buried in his books, I also spent a lot of time at the gym this weekend.  Seeing as it’s right across the street, this is one of my go-to ways to entertain myself.  Probably a good thing with all the feasting that seems to be going on around here!

Workout Recap:
Monday: Rest (/hangover)
Tuesday: Cycling
Wednesday: Chisel
Thursday: Cycling
Friday: Chisel
Saturday: 2x Cycling 
Sunday: Boot Camp and cycling

Notice anything missing?  Oh!  Running!  That sport I used to love!  Yep, haven’t done that since the half-marathon…

Goals for next week:
Monday: 4 mile run
Tuesday: Cycling
Wednesday: Boot Camp
Thursday: Cycling
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Chisel
Sunday: Boot Camp

Johanna