Birthdays should be drawn out.
I’m celebrating mine for a solid week.
Today I leave for a fabulous birthday trip with two of my best wine-os friend: Lisa and Heather. At 21 we celebrated with cheap shots and beer, at 30 we spend too much money on fine wine and taking mud baths. I choose 30.
The celebration have been on going though! Later in the post are some birthday eats, but I wanted to share my favorite treats first. My actual birth DAY was fabulous – I was totally overwhelmed by the comments on this post and on Instagram. If you get a chance, look back at everyone’s “lessons learned” in the post comments. So much wisdom!
I had a wonderful dinner with my family, including my best friend who is basically my sister. We missed my Portland sister though!
Mom nailed the gift department – I told her not to buy clothes or anything. There’s not much I need… but I wouldn’t turn down a little Napa spending money. She made that happen in a rockstar way.
Nothing says “I love you” like cash credit!
Just when I thought the night couldn’t get better, I received this gem from Lauren. Lauren’s fur babies, to be more precise.
Does it get any cuter?!
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This WIAW is actually what I ate on my birthday. I had some favorites, and some indulgences. It was exactly as it should be on one’s 30th birthday.
Read on for my celebration eats, and then check out Jenn’s link up for everyone else’s delicious days.
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Breakfast:
My morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos) was served martini-style in honor of my birthday. Who doesn’t want to start their 30th year out with a draaaank?
This is an old favorite. I don’t know why it’s been so long since I’ve made PB & Ceggs, but it’s what I wanted for my birthday. This is the perfect time of year to make it because the carrots are so sweet and juicy!
This is the version with an egg scramble, not the tofu in the linked recipe. It’s good both ways though! Even better with sprinkles:
Lunch:
This was a desperation meal. I leave for Napa today and I knew I’d be eating out for a couple of meals due to birthday celebrations so I didn’t do my usual grocery trip. Bring on the canned tuna!
This mix is tuna, nutritional yeast, cayenne, cumin, pepper, herbs de provence, turmeric, and balsamic vinegar. I tossed it with the end of a bag of spinach and ate it with a slice of P28 protein bread… on a ZooPals plate to preserve my youthfulness. 😉
Dinner:
Finally time for my birthday meal! My mom treated baby sister, my best friend, and me to dinner at Seed Kitchen & Bar. I was really excited because I got to try a new-to-me fish: Wreckfish. Wreckfish is like a cross between Sea Bass (my favorite!) and Halibut.
We did have to send my dish back (wayyyy overcooked), but on the second round it was perfection. Our server was nice enough to give me the sides from another special, so I was able to have caramelized brussels and roasted cauliflower on my birthday. It was a giant plate of my favorite things!
Dessert:
Simple and delicious. As my “cake,” I ordered a fresh-baked and slightly undercooked chocolate chunk skillet cookie a la mode. Mom and baby sis were allowed one bite each. 😉
***
I forgot to take a picture of the 3 cards I received at dinner. All were related to boobs. Way to go, Family! 😉
Have you ever tried Wreckfish?
What is your favorite thing to eat on your birthday?
Lisa says
Totally agree birthdays should ALWAYS be drawn out. Mine last at least a week, sometimes a month;)
It’s the only way to do it.
Looks like you had a great day of birthday eats – my kind of day and all the presents you got never hurts either:)
Mom’s always get the best gifts.
Natalie @ Lift,Sleep, Eat says
Glad you had a great birthday!! That cookie skillet looks deliciousss! I love it when you go out for a birthday meal and you always get a special looking dessert :p.
I’d never even heard of wreckfish before! It looks yummy though! I love cake on my birthday.. it always tastes so much better than compared to if I were just to have a slice normally.
Laura says
You are so right – birthday cake just tastes better. 🙂
lucie@swissfitchick says
Oh my Gosh, how I LOVE the morning-tini. I need to start drinking my acv/pineapple/lemon shot like this too, so stylish first thing in the morning. And I love that you ate out of a ZooPals plate! Extremely acceptable! I totally think birthdays should be drawn out, as much as possible. One day definitely is not enough!
My Mom always makes her chocolate cake on my birthday. Though she has to give it to me in pieces cause otherwise I would dive my face into it and never come out again. It’s high quality crack, I swear.
Laura says
High quality crack?! Can your mom make me cake too? 😉
Khushboo says
Fact: everything tastes infinitely better out of a martini glass :)! I love the look of your dessert/cake- mine was similar this year! Who needs cake when giant choc chip cookies are involved 😉
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And you definitely deserve a birthday week when you turn 30. Why not make it a month? Enjoy the rest of the celebration!
Laura says
Thank you! I think I’m cut off now. 🙂
amelia says
Ha, too funny that your cards were Boob related. Just think, you’re making up for lost time. 😉
Have fun in wine country. I love it! Happy Birthday again!!!!
Laura says
Haha – I know. Great minds, right?
lindsay says
heck ya! i have a feeling more eats will be coming your way in CA. EAt up skinny minny! and happy bday!
AmyC says
Brilliant idea to drink up martini style on your bday morning! Love the fur-baby card too 😉 Happy Birthday!
Miz says
SERIOUSLY? I LOVE YOUR BOOBLICIOUS FAMILY.
I adore how they support you.
love.
Laura says
Hee hee. Boobs. Support. 😉
Fran@BCDC says
Our family tradition is to celebrate for the entire month, Laura, so I give you permission to be part of our family and do that, too!! 😉 Happy Birthday, again and all month long!!
Laura says
A month?! I am impressed. I think a week is all I can survive.
Krista @ Tiny n Fit says
Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a fantastic day with lots of fantastic eats! I love extending my birthday as well- as for eating, I like to do something different on my birthday- some new restaurant, but always end with something I love like froyo! Or gelato (pistachio all the way!). Happy Wednesday!!
Laura says
I love that you do a mix of old favorites and new. That’s my ideal birthday too. 🙂
Lee says
Happy Birthday Week!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
drinks are always more fun in a martini class! 🙂
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
I love eating ice cream on my birthday (OK, I love eating ice cream any day, but especially my birthday :). Also, I am SO bad at sending meals back because I feel guilty, but I’m glad you did it – you deserve great food on your bday!
Laura says
I should probably feel worse about sending food back… but I’m paying for it, so it better be edible!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Oh yummy, that cookie a la mode is exactly what I would order too! Birthdays are absolutely meant to be drawn out… enjoy the whole week!
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
I think it’s weird if people don’t celebrate their birthday for at LEAST a week.. hahha. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday!!! 🙂
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Too cute with the pupster and the message – my Maddie would have eaten the sign. And I think everyone should celebrate for a full week. And in wine country? I’m officially jealous. Live it up!
Parita says
That dessert is exactly what I want on my 30th birthday! Never too early to start planning.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Birthweeks > Birthdays. You need at least a week, minimum to get all the celebrating in 😉 And as long as I have some form of cake on my birthday and chocolate is involved, I’m happy. The last two years I’ve had cupcakes (red velvet with buttercream last year, and peanut butter chocolate the yer before) but for years before that, I always went with a DQ Reese’s ice cream cake. Apparently, I’m a cake fan.
Have fun in Napa! It seriously sounds so fun.
Laura says
Haha – my favorite cake growing up was from Baskin Robbins. Ice cream cake is the best!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
Your birthday dinner sounds delicious!! I haven’t heard of Wreckfish before but I love sea bass and halibut.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Looks like a delicious birthday! Never had wreckfish before. Sounds interesting. I’m a pancake girl on my birthday! Love pancakes for dinner!
Have a safe and fabulous trip my friend! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Laura says
I was thinking pancakes but was always rushing ariund too much. Maybe that’s how I’ll extend the celebration this week. 😉
Jody - Fit at 55 says
Can it get any better?? How wonderful!!!! Have the best bday trip ever – 30 & with boobs – you go! 🙂
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
Martini is the perfect way to start a birthday! My husband always give me such a hard time when I use the phrase “birthday week”, glad I am not the only one!
Laura says
If we’re going to have to get older, we may as well get a good celebration out of it!
RavieNomNoms says
Yay! I am so glad you had an awesome day!
Kierston @candyfit says
Love the egg scramble with sprinkles 🙂
Laura says
Everything is better with sprinkles!
Nichole C says
I love your morning birthday “cocktail”, very cute!
Laura says
Thank you! 🙂
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
I haven’t ever heard of that fish before. I think it’s so funny how new foods are always popping up! One of my favorite fish is artic charr, I have not seen it a few times but its so good! It looks like you had a wonderful birthday, I’m glad you were able to enjoy it with your family.
Laura says
I love charr!!! I think it’s really seasonal – I only see it once in a blue moon here.
Kim says
I think that I want to start drinking juice out of a martini glass – so much more fun that way!
Sounds like a great day with friends and family!!!
Laura says
There is something especially decadent about it. 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
WRECKFISH!!! I am a SEAFOOD FREAKKKKKKKKK – And this is new to me! OMG WTF WTF my world is expanding! 😉
So how does it feel… The big 3-0… Just think. In 30 years from now, you’re going to be 60! LOL!
Laura says
Oh lawd… 60… the sad part is that doesn’t seem so terribly ancient anymore.
Annette@FitnessPerks says
HAHAHA on the cards. That is awesome.
And that dessert is SO SO MINE. Now! want it.
calee says
have an awesome time in napa! love the doggy pic. those guys are so adorable.
calee says
PS I totally celebrated a week-long when I turned 25. http://www.chimesdesign.com/blog/2009/10/06/25/
Laura says
I think birthdays should be drug out as a rule.
Kait @ ChickadeeSays says
If my birthday food is anywhere near as good as yours was i’m going to be in heaven! Have so much fun in Napa! I can’t wait for all the Instagrams!
xx Kait
Debbie says
Happy birthday lady! My big 3-0 is coming up in December! Ahh. But I’m loving the breakfast cocktail. So cute!
Laura says
The holiday season and a bityhday?! That calls for 2 breakfast cocktails!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
LOVING the doggy picture! That is too cute! And I also love that you added sprinkles to your breakfast! Now THAT is a great way to start out a birthday!
Laura says
I should have rimmed the martini glass in sprinkles too. Ha!
Alex @ therunwithin says
um the dog picture melts my heart. adorable
Maria @ Pappa Don't Preach says
What an awesome day of birthday eats!! Nothing better than celebrating with caramelized brussels sprouts! I plan on doing the same! 🙂 Have fun in Napa with your girlies!
Laura says
Brussel sprout birthday cake?! 🙂
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
You are going to be eating good in California too… can’t wait to see that!
I have never heard of wreckfish, but I will look for it!!
purelytwins says
Wreckfish — sounds yummy! And OH MY — that dessert!!!! WANT!! undercooked cookie – yes please 🙂
Laura says
I actually though of you guys when I ordered that meal… you would have LOVED it!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Ooh I haven’t ever tried wreckfish- I NEED TO. I love sea bass and halibut- so duh I would love that!
Have SUCH a good time in wine country- drink a bottle or 10 for me. 🙂
Laura says
Next time you HAVE to come with. 🙂
Ksenija @ Health Ninja says
Happy Birthday-Week to you! What better way to celebrate turning 30 – you should probably make a month out of it, and celbrate each year on it’s own 😉
Jentry Nielsen says
Happy Birthday to you!!! Sounds like you had an awesome one! 🙂
Laura says
Thank you so much!
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
Haha I love how you put sprinkles on the egg scramble! Looks like you enjoyed your birthday eats. 🙂
Laura says
I think every day should begin with sprinkles. 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
For years Papa Smart tried to make not one, but TWO, special cakes–my sister’s birthday is the day after mine. It would never be anything ‘normal’ like chocolate on chocolate. He would try homemade spice cakes and randomocity (wonder who I inherited my cooking tendencies from….) And EVERY YEAR they fell apart. It’s now sort of a running joke, and perhaps the reason that I like cake with a lot of “crumb and really only want to eat the parts that stick to the pan…and the thin layer that is stuck to the icing.
Another random thought while reading: I just recently had a tuna salad for the first time in a LOOOONG time, and it was so satisfying. Is that weird? [Not as weird as the look I would get if I suggested to my stepmom she add nutritional yeast next time ;)]
Laura says
I love that he couldn’t go the normal route! I make something different every year for Christmas… last year wasn’t so great but the year before was fab! You have to take big risks to have big wins! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Laura. Happy Birthday to yooooooooouuuuu….let’s pretend that was in key, ok.
Laura says
I sang it in my head in perfect key. 😉
Hannah says
Wreckfish. That’s the best name for a fish. Add that to the list of “must eats” in Atlanta for my next visit, yeah? Where we can celebrate both of our birthdays belatedly. xoxo
Laura says
I like the way you think! You’d have loved that cookie too. 🙂