We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook Food Memoir Giveaway Times TWO!

(Rachel)

Last week, we went on a long beach vacation to our favorite place in the world, the quaint little Island of Little Gasparilla. I wrote about it in our food memoir We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook (in stores next week.) It’s where Jared and I got married, where we took Jackson for his first beach experience, and where Jared’s family has been vacationing for twenty years. To put it mildly, it’s a special place for our family.

We took along the Mimi because we love her and Jackson loves her…and well, we knew it was the only way we’d get any alone time. Thanks to her, Jared and I enjoyed an amazing all vegan dinner at Vino Loco Tapas and Wine Bar one night to celebrate our sixth anniversary. We were the only diners (it’s off season right now), and we got special treatment from the chef, who hand delivered each organic, well-thought out plate to our table. Simple flavorful food made with quality organic ingredients that let the veggies be the star.  My kind of food! And then there was vegan gelato made out of almond milk. Oh my. The gelato was so amazing, we swung by on our way home to get more for the long road home…and to share with Jackson and Mimi who missed out the first time. I ate my scoop with one of Jackson’s leftover chocolate birthday cupcakes. I can’t remember the last time I had cake and ice cream. It was like a party in my mouth.

Black Bean Cakes over gaucamole (made with local avocados), with refreshing jicima and carrot salad. Bruschetta with a white bean spread. Loved that sneak of protein!

My favorite. Simple criminis sauteed in fresh garlic, olive oil, and sherry with parsley, served on crispy baguettes.

My life is complete. Vegan Sour Cherry & Almond gelato made from almond milk.

Our traditional posed anniversary picture.

Such a cute little patio.

I rarely wear dresses. Had to capture the moment! I love the pocket detail in this Target find.

The mangroves. Off the ferry, through the mangroves, into island paradise.

I just love this Banyon tree that welcomes you to the Placida Harbor….and that man walking under it.

More of this magnificent tree.

And another. I can’t stop. It’s just so pretty.

Did I say chocolate cupcakes up there? Oh yes! My sweet Jackson turned two on Saturday….and my usually healthy little eater has a dark secret. He loves nothing more than chocolate cupcakes.  I used my go-to Chocolate Cupcake Recipe from Chow.com. They are quick and easy and don’t call for any weird ingredients. I subbed almond milk, whole wheat flour, and coconut oil this time (working with our limited pantry on the island). They didn’t rise quite as much as the first time I made them with canola and white flour, but they were still fluffy and delicious…and healthier. 🙂 We skipped icing in lieu of a dusting of powdered sugar. We aren’t much of an icing family…and it’s usually just fat and sugar anyway. We let him blow the powdered sugar on his cupcake instead of blowing out a candle. He thought that was WAY fun!

Happy beach boy.

“I’m TWO!” (Coincidentally, this is also his “Hook’em Horns” sign.

Cake. Beach. Happy Toddler.

“Am I supposed to eat this piece of wax too?”

Uh, do you think we have a two-year old on our hands? Some big kids were walking by and he went total “cool guy” on us. Hilarious.

Trying to get a decent family picture on a windy beach (of course we took pictures on the ONLY windy night) with a toddler is no easy task.

“Whoohoo, I’m two!”

He told me one day, “Look mama, BIG sandbox.” “Isn’t God cool to give us a big sandbox, buddy?” I smiled. “Mmmhmmm.”

Who needs candles when you can blow powdered sugar on the cake.

Make a wish!

A trip to remember.

Love this little boy. Thank you, Jackson, for making me a mommy!

Happy Birthday Jackson! I have a feeling we have an adventurous year ahead! Twos = double the fun, right?

In honor of Jackson turning two, we’re giving away TWO early release copies of We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook! Jackson just so happens to be a pretty big star in the book….so it seems fitting. To enter the giveaway, simply like our facebook page and leave us a comment HERE ON THE BLOG telling us you’ve done so. A birthday wish to Jackson would be like powdered sugar on the cupcake though. 🙂 Be sure to include the name that you use on Facebook so we can verify your entry and fill in the email section of our contact form so we can contact you if you are a winner.

Giveaway ends on at midnight central time Friday, August 2nd, We’ll pick the winners using a random number generator. Winners will have 24 hours to contact us before we choose another name.