I Love Birthdays. And Sleep.

Yesterday’s birthday celebrations were fantastic. It started at 6am and involved being asleep and full by 9pm – what could be better than that?

Breakfast

It started with a nice big bowl of overnight oats. I read so many blogs while in Europe talking about overnight oats, and I I got a little jealous. They looked so gooey, creamy and decadent, I couldn’t wait to try my hand with them when we got home. I tell you, I didn’t wait in vain! They were delicious.

Into the mix went…

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup goat yogurt
1.5 tbsp chia seeds
3/4 cup ish almond milk – I didn’t measure.

I stirred these up and let them gel overnight. Then, in the morning, I topped it with a teaspoon of almond butter and some frozen cherries, as well as some vanilla. Finally, I finished it with about 1/2 a teaspoon of really good balsamic vinegar. It was truly delicious – creamy, gooey, and filling. Since I knew I’d have an early morning, it was so great to have breakfast all together.

My aunt Marcia came over for coffee, bringing me the cutest hat and shabbat candle-sticks to take to Australia – such a great gift.

Then, Ant gave me my birthday presents, which were fantastic and varied – everything from a gorgeous charm for my bracelet to an apron to a big bag of gluten-free flour. The highlight was a beautiful fountain pen.

Actually, I think the highlight may have been this shirt. Ant somehow managed to find my personality pre-silkscreened on a t-shirt. With the muppets. I love it.

Lunch

After going back to sleep for a few hours (what? It’s my birthday!) We went out to lunch with my parents at our old favorite sushi restaurant, Ichi-Ro. For lunch, I had a naruto roll with tuna, crab and avocado, and a seared tuna tataki.

It was fantastic – I love Ichi-Ro because there fish is always so fresh, generous portions, and they have such creative rolls and plates.

It was such fun to get to spend my birthday with my parents.

My mom made me cry by giving me a necklace I’ve loved since I was a little girl that she thought she’d lost. She found it, and gave it to me! My parents also had a beautiful bracelet made for me with the Serenity Prayer written on it. It was so meaningful, and looks gorgeous.

After lunch, mom and I went for mani-pedis. We went over to Dashing Diva, a super schmancy nail salon in our neighborhood.

I got a Lemongrass pedicure, with a parafin treatment and sugar scrub. It was divine, and smelled amazing. I also got a manicure for the first time in at least a year. It felt great!

After our pampering excursion, we headed home to relax before my parents headed out for a fancy dinner, and left Ant and me to our own devices.

Dinner

For dinner, we indulged in gluten-free pizza and gluten-free beer. Also known as heaven.

The crust was from Gigi’s, and was delicious and cracker thin – my favorite! Also known as a skizza (skinny pizza, I’m guessing?) it was truly the best pizza crust I’ve had since going gluten-free over five years ago. Somehow, they managed to make it both chewy and crusty. I will have sweet dreams of this glorious crust.

On mine went spinach, sauteed mushrooms in red wine vinegar, a bit of mozarella and feta cheese, and black olives.

Anthony made his traditional pie, which included roasted butternut squash, spinach leaves, feta and mozarella cheese, satay chicken, and pine nuts. I don’t quite get it, but somehow, it works.