Ugh. I am SO stuffed from our “Family Dinner”! 
The meal was delicious, but boy did I go overboard! I made the mistake of filling up on all of the yummy appetizers that our friends brought.
I had a little of everything, but I chowed-down on the spinach-artichoke dip. By the time dinner was served, I wasn’t even hungry for it. 
For dinner tonight, I made Last-Minute Lasagna, which our friends loved! This meal is quick, easy, and a real crowd-pleaser! 
In the recipe, I used Napa Valley Bistro Porcini & Portabella Pasta Sauce, which had rich flavors of tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, Merlot, and herbs. It was an awesome pasta sauce! Definitely keep a look out for this one at the grocery store!
We served homemade garlic bread with the lasagna.
For dessert (and my upcoming birthday), my friend, Marie, baked cupcakes! She “health-ified” the recipe by using apple sauce instead of vegetable oil and egg whites instead of whole eggs. She knows what I like!
I ended up eating 2 cupcake tops after dinner. They were SO GOOD! I might as well start my birthday week off on the right foot! 
I’m not going to lie, I feel pretty gross after pigging-out at dinner tonight, but what’s the point in feeling bad about it, right? I enjoyed a nice evening with good friends, ate a delicious meal, and kicked-off my birthday celebration. Not a bad night at all!
Tomorrow is a new day. I’m planning an early-morning workout and a day of healthy eating.
Time for bed! Good night!!!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Love your attitude toward your splurge! You definitely make up for it with all of your healthiness. Happy Birthday season!
looks good! Don’t feel bad! Tomorrow you will have your healthy eats and great workout!
Everything looks so good!
Great attitude and it looks like you ate tasty things so I agree it was worth it! Happy Birthday Week!
All the food looks awesome! And I think you are totally allowed to splurge a bit during your birthday week…
Have a wonderful Birthday week! 
Looks like such a fun “Family dinner.” Glad you enjoyed yourself (and those cupcakes!)
What a fun dinner party! Tomorrow’s a new day – back on the wagon. No need to dwell!
You deserved a splurge! It’s good do do now and then. Happy early Birthday. We splurged on dessert tonight too…lemon buttermilk berry shortcakes. We had to celebrate our anniversary! Glad you had a fun dinner!
Thank you for having such a healthy perspective at “overeating” – if you even want to call it that. I’m one of those that eats very healthy 95% of the time, but 5% of the time, on those fun occasions where you want to let loose and have a great time and eat whatever you want, I end up taking it way too far and feel sick and very guilty about it. I am trying to find balance though
and it’s nice to see that you are so good about this! ESPECIALLY you should enjoy yourelf during your birthday week! 
That doesn’t even look like a splurge in my book – you should see mine!
Enjoy your friends, food and special birthday week!
Homemade garlic bread is the best! Your’s looks excellent.
I noticed your griddler and am really thinking about getting one, but no sure if it is worth the money? Do you use it alot?
Looks totally appropriate! I’d have a mayjuh hard time resisting too, Teen! I also only eat the cupcake tops! The frosting is the best part!
Ohhh don’t feel ‘gross’ that is what celebrations are all about – enjoying food with friends and family. And besides…there was lots of good stuff on that table!!! The cuppies look great – happy early birthday!
it’s almost your birthday! enjoy
That food looks GREAT! I say, forget about the guilt, you should be able to enjoy yourself sometimes, you work hard and look great, so why not?
Everything looks fabulous, mmm cupcakes! Yep, we’ve all been there, tomorrow is another day
Isn’t funfetti frosting the BEST!? Happy Birthday Week!
I’ve never posted before, but I love reading your posts. Mostly because you have a good balance between healthy food and social eating/splurges. Your splurges are what makes me like your blog. (And all the food you ate looks pretty healthy to me)
I love your blog! Way to have a great balance in life!! It inspires me to stay good to myself, so thanks for sharing!!
Totally random questions….what kinds of casserole dishes are those with the adorable handles?? Love them!
Oooh – thanks for that recipe. It looks so delish (& easy – a requirement for me!)
Oh boy do I ever do that too! Thanks for your honesty- I can relate so much. I often go overboard on appetizers or munchies and then am no longer hungry for dinner, but yes still have dessert! I think it is hard sometimes to stay on track when we have such exciting things happening in our lives at times. I like your positive mental attitude though and how you carried on as normal the next day!
Mmm I wish I could grab one of those cupcakes through my computer screen!!!
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