Thanks a lot, heritage.
This morning started off yogatastic with a hot vinyasa class at Yoga to the People, where I joined Sarah and Vani. The class was amazing and I felt like I was standing directly under the heating vent because I was sweating buckets. Looking around, everyone else was fine and I just had rivers of sweat rolling down my face and arms. It felt great 
Before I headed over to the class, I had a banana.
When I got home around noon, I was suddenly struck by hunger. I whipped up an omlette with broccoli & a piece of melty Swiss Cheese + a toasted piece of Arnold’s Double Protein bread topped with smoked salmon.
I snacked on some fresh papaya & raspberries later on.
My dad’s birthday was on Tuesday and we decided to celebrate with a BBQ tonight. I photographed some of the staples of Eastern European social gatherings. I can’t remember a time when these things weren’t present on a table in my lifetime. Things missing: pickled everything, smoked fish.
ALCOHOL:
My ancestral blood is tingling just looking at this photo.
MEAT:
MASHED POTATOES:
With PLENTY of sour cream, butter AND milk...beaten with a mixer for extra flufiness.
ASSORTED VEGETABLES:
ASSORTED FRUIT:
DESSERTS:
As you can see, Ukrainians eat until they can’t move! It’s a difficult environment to navigate, since it’s considered impolite to eat little and not try everything. Luckily, my family knows when to leave me alone.
My eats:
Multiply by a bunch more
Plain veggies, grilled chicken, roasted veggies.
A tad of the deadly mashed potatoes, more roasted veggies.
This cake is called "Napoleon" and is REALLY rich. A small piece is just right.
I also got to spend more time with this adorable gentleman, one of my younger cousins:
We danced a lot. He showed me how to break dance and I taught him the Macarena. I’m not too great at the whole break dancing thing but he knows what’s up.
What food makes a regular appearance at your family gatherings?
I’m so jealous! That bbq looks amazing! I commend you for eating healthy in spite of all of the not so healthy options. I am a sucker for mashed potatoes! I don’t think I could resist. Reading your blog always makes me homesick. In a good way though.
Unfortunately my family has held on to ZERO of its heritage (my mother’s side has been in America since the 1600s and I don’t know my dad’s side well.) So it is pretty standard American food—Beef and pork tenderloin appear often. Broccoli with cheddar. Rolls, rolls, rolls and my mom’s standard (and amazing!) french silk pie.
Happiness Awaits
Hanging out with my little cousins is my favorite thing to do at family gaterhings, too.
When my mom is around, we vary the food seasonally, but tend to have some type of signature cocktail for the event. With the rest of my family, all bets are off.
DUDE! Everything looks amazing, but esp those layered desserts. Those must be hard to make too.
That is such a good question! To be honest, really don’t know, it depends on where we are – the beach = fresh fish and key lime tarts from the bakery next door; the condo = whatever is in season
Vegetarian lasagna is my mom’s specialty, so she always brings it to all of the family gatherings!
But all this food looks great, Olga!-especially the corn….I can’t believe i’ve been on summer vacay for a month now and still haven’t bitten into a delicious, steamin’ corn on the cob!! Ahhh, this needs to be fixed ASAP!!! Enough is enough!
Yum…your family food looks wonderful! My family doesn’t have any special food for gatherings. Neither of my parents are really food people – they eat for nourishment, not so much enjoyment. I think I puzzle them a bit.
Mmm I LOVE Napoleon cake. All that food looks absolutely amazing!
With my family, there’s always pasta.
way to go workin’ up a sweattt at your class this morning
!
that cake is calling my name!
Looks amazing! Especially the desserts!
My family are Jewish so our family gatherings generally revolve around roast chicken, some sort of kugel (noodle/potato/matzo) with chopped liver, gefilte fish, chicken soup w/ kreplach, bourekkas, etc making regular appearances!
That food (Esp. the layer dessert!) looks phenomenal!!!!
and yoga was so much fun – so glad we all made it!!
at my family gatherings there’s ALWAYS a bowl of mixed nuts. beyond that, it’s pretty up in the air!
Fun times!! Menage a Trois is a great wine
Everything looks great, glad you got some dancing in.
mmmmm all these eats are making my mouth water! I love smoked salmon so much, and your post just reminded me I have some waiting for me to eat in my fridge!!!
Menage a trois wine is delish! Is that a rose? How do you like it?
your dad’s party looks so fun!! and all those desserts, olga. i so want another piece of cake now. and what a cutiepie little cousin!
family gathering food … my mom always makes a giant and crazily elaborate salad! and it’s never the same one twice since it’s all about cleaning out the fridge
Way to navigate the family gathering, everything looks amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed some tame dancing with the cute lil nephew…all the kids i work with do like, soulja boy or pop lock and drop it….where’s the innocence!!?
What a feast!
These meals look awesome. Can I be Ukrainian?!?
Wow! Look at that food! (eyes widened at the desserts) I can relate actually because my father is Croatian so I am sure you and I have eaten similar foods
I can definitely tell there is an excess of food and drink- just like I am used to. haha So great!
I really want to try yoga like that! I bet it feels amazing!!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Oh my gosh, those desserts look incredible! But that kind of culture (impolite not to eat a lot) would not mesh well with me! I’m glad your family doesn’t give you a hard time.
Hmm…. it depends on what kind of gathering it is. When we have dinner with my dad’s parents, we ALWAYS have salmon, sweet potatoes, salad, and rolls. When we have big get-togethers on my mom’s side, it depends. Homemade piergoies show up a lot, and so does mashed potatoes and rolls. My uncle will usually make either cheesecake or pie. I’m in charge of bringing the veggie dish and/or salad, haha!
It depends on the event. We are very holiday/event specific.
I like how you cousin has his action figures with him.
Also, am trying to organize a blogger dinner for June 26th (friday) and I can’t remember if I sent you the email with the details. I hope you can come! Email me for more info.