WeddingWeddingWeddingWeddingWedding.
I’m sorry- did you say something? I’m totally distracted this week. The wedding is all I have time to think about these days. We are T-minus 10 days until The Big Day. That sounds do-able, doesn’t it? Just today, I realized that the craziness actually begins three days earlier… and the checklist is now in high gear. I’m typing this while wearing Crest teeth-whitening strips for 20 minutes, for crying out loud.
A few years back, I remember having a feeling of annoyance at all of the weddings I had to go to. There were SO MANY of them, all in a cluster over a few summers. And then, I realized- weddings are awesome. There’s generally good food, plenty to drink, and cake. You get to wear a new dress and high heels and dance the night away. You’re usually surrounded by lots of friends, old and new. And it’s on someone else’s tab!
Party aside, I am a hopeless, sappy, fairy tale-loving romantic. I believe everyone has a shot at happily ever after, that true love can conquer all. To be able to witness that honest moment where two people commit their lives to each other is an honor. Cue the waterworks, folks. I fully expect to cry like a baby and dance on a table in ten days.
It’s a pretty special thing to know exactly when the best day of your life is going to come! (Did I mention that I love champagne…?)
John and I have been focusing on eating lots of veggies and protein and less breads and all the good things other carbs lately. I had a totally delish lunch of roasted beets, arugula, fennel, and salmon yesterday. (I just love taking myself out for a date.) Later, we opened some wedding gift boxes and our guest room feels like Christmas morning!
For Meatless Monday, John made us a noodle-less version of his soba stir-fry. I played prep cook, chopping the glorious rainbow of veggies that would become dinner. Cholula, faithful kitchen assistant, loves the ribs of a bell pepper. She apparently is less than thrilled about shiitake mushroom stems (see it on the floor?).
Broccoli, orange bell pepper, red onion, mushroom, yellow squash, carrot, and celery. Beautiful! I came to a conclusion: I love celery in a stir-fry!
I wish I could tell you what John did, step by step, to create our tasty meal. But I was too busy examining multiple wedding magazines- not for ideas, but for photos that would assure me that I made good choices. (I love roses, but not THIS much.)
I do know that he cooked the shrimp first. He sauteed the veggies in batches, and added various sauces and seasonings to them. They all came together at the end. I shook some toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish.
Don’t you just LOVE a good row of condiments?
I was a tad worried about how filling our dinner would be sans rice. Truth? It filled me right up- and was delicious. Rice would have been too much. I feel so lucky to have such a hot talented chef in the house!
Tonight, we went out for sushi. It was pretty cool to see what the chef could do instead of rice. Absolutely scrumptious!
The to-do list continues tomorrow. I’ll try on my wedding dress for the last time before I wear it to become a “Mrs.” The thought alone brings tingles behind my eyelids. Each item I cross off the list reminds me of just how lucky I am.
(Note to self: Pick up waterproof mascara.)
What are your healthy ‘cut-back’ diet tips? What about your best methods to handle a busy schedule? What are your pre-wedding and wedding day tips for a bride-to-be?
the usual bliss 
My favorite healthy breakfast is a green smoothie. In a high powered blender, I add lots of organic dark leafy greens (chard, spinach, dandelion, kale, etc), frozen mango, frozen blueberries, vanilla kefir or yogurt, a little guava juice and a little water. I add banana for the hubby and kids (yuck! I don’t know how anyone eats bananas). Meanwhile, I cook up about 1/4 cup of organic oats. The part that grosses my husband out is that I mix the cooked oats into my smoothie- so yummy! The thing I love about my smoothie is the energy boost I feel after drinking it and it tides me over until lunchtime.
You look amazing Amber! I don’t think you have to worry much about cutting back. Enjoy all the excitement leading up to your big day. So excited for you and hope you are feeling better.
I HATE BANANAS, TOO. A smoothie sounds delish! We need a better blender. Hmmm, registry….
wedding day tips? something that was told to me, and that I tried very hard to live on that day – this day is about YOU (and him). don’t stress, don’t worry about other people. try the best you can to absorb the moments, sounds, sights, smells…the memories are what last! we lost over half our pictures because of our STUPID photographer (apparently 4 years isn’t enough to get over bitterness…), but you know what? I still remember the look on my husband’s face, the feel of the flowers in my hand, the smell of the food, the tingles I had when our song was played as we gazed into each other’s eyes at the altar…
it’s all about the two of you. keep it that way, and do your best to have a day that you will remember forever, even if photos are lost! ❤
You’re the second person with similar advice about not focusing on other people and their drama!
I would be so sad not to have the photos (you know me and my photos!) but the memories are so special. thank you so much!
Best Breakfast: a smoothie
Tip for the Bride: remember that the day is about the two of you, if someone else is unhappy or is something goes wrong, forget about it and focus on your new hubby and your amazing life together.
Great tip. Something will definitely go wrong- I’ll work on letting it go!
Ohh! I love weddings! the mr. and I went to one this weekend and it was very lovely. It can be hectic, but I loved every bit of the stress and anxiety [the good kind] that came with the planning. To me the hardest part is preparing the house [which you got that covered] and everything else is just fun! I hope you have a great time and wish you a lifetime of happiness 🙂
Ya, I need to wash all the sheets and have the house ready for everyone- such a good point!
So exciting, Amber! Congratulations to you both (and Cholula). I hope you’ll give us a taste of the photos here!
I totally will!
OMG 10 DAYS!?!?!?!?!?! That came so quickly!
My wedding secret was to be pregnant, so no one could expect me to diet beforehand. Weeeee!!!!
HAHAH! That will not be my big secret, though we have fingers crossed for something along those lines on the honeymoon. Is it weird to name a baby Tahiti?
I think that’s a perfect name! She’d be a total treat!
Only ten more days?? She-YIKES!! I sure hope you’re enjoying (trying to enjoy) the mad rush up to W-day. Breathe in, breathe out. And sleep is good too.
I wouldn’t know what to tell you about dieting before a wedding, but I can attest to a 100% plant-based diet and being in the best shape of my life. (That cutting board pic looks like my daily kitchen exercise. Tonight, it’s an eggplant stir-fry with celery!) Ditching the dairy this summer got rid of that last nagging “jiggle” on my boo-tay and mid-line. And I can still wear my wedding dress from 15 years ago, and after four kids. Does that help?
PS – Can’t wait to see your wedding photos! I’m so hoping you’ll post here for those of us who live vicariously through our blog-reads…
It totally helps! I have been trying to replace the carbs with proteins and it’s been interesting to intentionally choose celery and maybe a dab of hummus over cheese and crackers. I don’t need to diet- I should be clear about that- but the big W day is a good time to feel AMAZING, so here we are! Dairy might be hard for me… I’m way better at cutting back than cutting OUT.
Have I told you you’re my hero for having 4 kids and being awesome? You live my alternate dream life! And yes, I’ll post all sorts of wedding fun and honeymoon travels here, just because I won’t want it to be over. 🙂
Love your healthy stir-fry! I need some veggies in my life today, I’m sorely lacking. Can’t believe your big day is in 10 days!
I am in veggie-overload. Today, all I wanted was a bagel and some crackers and maybe some toast… carb cravings! The big day is very soon. VERY.
Enjoy every minute of it! Excited to see pictures of your special day.
I’m doing my best! I know it will be over before I know it and I’ll be sad about that fact!
I love love love reading your blogs. That stir fry looks delicious. I’m SOOOOOO excited for your upcoming wedding- I can’t wait to see pics. Enjoy your beautiful day and your beautiful life. Hope you’re feeling better! xoxoxo
I feel much better, thank you! We are getting excited- and it feels good to cross things off of the list!