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September 17, 2018

PA Weekend

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Hi guys! As you know from Friday’s blog post, we spent the second part of last week and the weekend up in Sewickley, PA, outside Pittsburgh, visiting Matt’s family. Part of the reason we went up there this specific weekend was because Matt had his annual guy’s canoe/camping trip, which is near Pittsburgh, so on Friday morning he headed off for the woods/river and Riese and I stuck around and hung out with Matt’s parents! On Friday evening, my in laws, Riese, and I all went out to an early dinner – they have a create your own pasta bar night at their club which turned out to be perfect for Riese because we were able to have them make her a tiny plate of stuff to taste. She was REALLY into the meatballs – I broke them into small pieces for her – guess I need to make some meatballs for her to snack on at home! What’s your favorite meatball recipe that also includes some veggies? 🙂

As for me, I had a glass of Prosecco, a salad, and my own pasta creation! Pasta + meatballs + spinach + mushrooms + garlic + broccoli + tomato sauce. Hit the spot!

On Saturday, Matt’s parents were busy so Riese and I had some adventures on our own! We took a nice long stroll around the neighborhoods near town…

And then met up with our friends Jack and Megan (who used to live in DC but moved to Pittsburgh a few years ago) and their son to wander around the (adorable) farmer’s market in downtown Sewickley!

When we got home, Riese and I had some farmer’s market finds for lunch. There was a cool “Greens and Grains” vendor where I picked up beet apple salad, a really yummy lemon basil hummus (eaten with unpictured crackers), and a kale salad. Riese enjoyed some beets, a little hummus, avocado, and some pulled pork that was for later that evening. She LOVED the pulled pork – Riese is quite the carnivore apparently!

We spent the afternoon hanging out around the house and watching the action – my father in law was getting ready for a big BBQ we were hosting for friends that evening! He was smoking pork to make homemade pulled pork and also using his sous vide cooker to slow cook ribs (which he finished off on the grill). Impressive! (If you’re interested in learning more about sous vide cooking, I talked about it some in this post!)

sous vide ribs

Matt arrived back from his big camping/canoeing adventure just in time to shower and get changed for the party. So kind of his parents to host a bunch of our friends for dinner! We made sure it was early because everyone has kids, and there was quite the spread! For appetizers, we had a cheese plate (please note the nod to my “feta makes it betta” shirt from my old t-shirt shop):

And homemade deviled eggs (loved the pickle addition on top):

Plus some hummus and pita, and a homemade tzatziki sauce!

As for the main event, we had pulled pork, ribs, mac and cheese, a tomato mozzarella salad, and an assortment of homemade sauces (vinegar-based and tomato-based)!

It was sooo good. A huge thank you to Matt’s dad for making us such a delicious feast!

Here’s the whole gang (minus a couple friends who came after this picture was taken!) – fun to see everyone!

I’m running out the door for an appointment so will be back tomorrow to recap the rest of the trip/drive home – have a good one friends!

- anne
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19 comments
  • Kori
    September 17, 2018 · 12:09PM:
    WOW, that barbeque spread looks epic!! Your father-in-law is such an amazing cook! The piping of the deviled eggs looks fancy and pretty, and the addition of the pickle sounds awesome. Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a nice day!
    Reply
  • Gen September 17, 2018 · 12:55PM:
    You should definitely try the Turkey Trot meatballs from Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow! So good and filled with veggies
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 17, 2018 · 1:22PM:
      I will check those out - thanks!
      Reply
  • Beth September 17, 2018 · 1:31PM:
    I love adding chopped spinach to my meatballs and/or sauce. Sometimes I will also add sauteed and finely chopped mushrooms, perhaps zest a carrot too. Depends on what is in the house that needs to be used.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 17, 2018 · 2:10PM:
      Good ideas!
      Reply
  • Emily September 17, 2018 · 4:05PM:
    Hi Anne - what a fun weekend! I am starting BLW with my little guy and am curious about what you’ve read regarding sodium....I never add salt to anything that I prepare for him but as he gets into lots of different foods, I can imagine offering him things like meatball or pulled pork (awesome taste, Riese!) when we are out and about and at parties or restaurants etc. Should I worry about the salt or sugar in prepared items like that? Curious to know what you think! Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 18, 2018 · 10:10AM:
      I don't add salt to anything I make for her, but I don't stress if she's having something that might have some salt added when we are out since she doesn't have it that often. I haven't given her anything that I know has added sugar in it, though - will try to avoid that sort of thing until she knows the difference :)
      Reply
  • Emily September 17, 2018 · 8:11PM:
    When my son was little I used to make mini turkey meatballs that were just mashed sweet potatoes, oats and ground turkey- very baby friendly. Now I always add shredded zucchini and chopped spinach into turkey and either make turkey burger patties or meatballs.
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 18, 2018 · 10:11AM:
      Yummy! Thanks for the ideas!
      Reply
  • Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite
    September 17, 2018 · 9:40PM:
    I've added shredded zucchini or sweet potatoes to meatballs before! Or grated apple in ground chicken meatballs like for a homemade chicken apple sausage :) here are some inspiration ideas: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/lean-turkey-apple-maple-sausage-breakfast-patties/ https://simpleseasonal.com/recipes/maple-sweet-potato-chicken-meatballs
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 18, 2018 · 10:11AM:
      Cool, thanks!
      Reply
  • adrianna September 17, 2018 · 9:49PM:
    my aunt and uncle live in Sewickley! just moved there maybe a year-ish ago? its like an hour away from my hometown in WV...which is why i always get excited and comment on all things pittsburgh/steelers/etc. my 'hood'! ha. looks like a super fun weekend. if we are ever in this area at the same time i'm posing a meet-up :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 18, 2018 · 10:11AM:
      Definitely! :)
      Reply
  • Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off
    September 17, 2018 · 10:53PM:
    Oh wow the feast made by Matt's dad sounds EPIC. Pulled pork, mac and cheese, ribs?!! Woah! Also it's too funny and cute that Riese loves all the meat hehe. Sounds like a lovely weekend.
    Reply
  • Lindsay September 18, 2018 · 12:22PM:
    Goodness that spread from Matt's dad looks yummy! My favorite meatball recipe is just 1 lb lean meat, 1 c breadcrumbs, 1 c chopped mushrooms, 1/2 c chopped onion, and egg plus garlic/parsley/s&p. And these from Courtney at STSL https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/mini-turkey-apple-meatballs-toddler-approved/!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 18, 2018 · 3:58PM:
      Yum, thanks for sharing!
      Reply
  • Ginny Wright
    September 19, 2018 · 11:14AM:
    Anne, Congratulations! I just listened to your AWE radio interview with Karen. Thanks for sharing so many great tips. I lived in Sewickley for several years. One of my daughters was born in Pittsburgh! Such a nice little town. Hope to see you soon!
    Reply
    • Anne
      September 20, 2018 · 9:39AM:
      Thanks Ginny! :) Hope to see you soon, too!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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