20 weeks – halfway to meeting Baby B!

Every year I write a birthday wish list describing what I envision for my birthday, reflect on the past year, write out gratitudes, and lay out what I’m looking forward to.

My birthday falls on June 12th. It’s the perfect midway point and opportunity to check-in on my goals.

This year I started to write my birthday wish list and realized I have so much to be grateful for. 

This time last year when I blew out the candles on my cake I only had one wish on my mind. I made a wish that our family would grow in the next year and that I would have the opportunity to become a mother. 

It was especially fitting that this year I was pregnant on my birthday. It was truly the best gift I could have received. 

The first trimester of pregnancy kicked my behind and forced me to slow down —  even pause. I am not a pause-and-relax type of person. I found it hard to slow down but even harder to resist. 

I took daily naps and yet still fell asleep in the early evening.

I couldn’t imagine having a dinner party or house full of guests! As much as a pool party would have been fun… the weather and my energy levels didn’t agree. 

Thus the “self-care” theme was chosen. Or rather, it chose me.

We made mocktails & smoothies all weekend.

Planning things in advance was ruthlessly challenging since I didn’t know how I’d be feeling. Most days I just wanted a nap and to chill out. 

I wrote out a list of options (with Josh’s creative help) 

Ways to Celebrate My Birthday

• Relaxing pool day
• Make mocktails
• Prenatal massage or float tank 
• Home spa day 
• Treat yourself to a shopping day 
• Birthday photoshoot 
• Eat vegan sushi 
• Make something you’ve been craving and indulge in it
• Watch your favorite artist’s perform and enjoy some festival vibes at home
• Day trip to explore a nearby city or new part of town
• Comedy show or watch one at home  
• Birthday brunch instead of dinner 
• Relax, order takeout, and watch your favorite movie
• Plan Baby’s 1st birthday – or reflect on new traditions you want to create together as a family 

Roya’s Birthday Wish List 2023 – Self care theme

• Vegan Sushi Dinner in San Diego 
• Birthday Mocktails – Birthdays in our home always include champagne and some type of cocktail. This year we had to get a bit creative and Josh fully delivered.
• Dole Whip Creation – When I was a teenager many weekends were spent at Disneyland and almost always included a dole whip. I had been craving one for a while and since I was not planning on going to Disneyland anytime soon… Josh made me one at home. 
• Prenatal Massage – everything hurts when you’re pregnant! A massage was the perfect way to relax. During the massage I thought about our baby and envisioned what it would be like to meet him/her. It was one of the most relaxing massages I’ve ever had. 
• Time with Josh relaxing and enjoying our home 
• Roya Fest at home with Josh – In 2019 Josh and I enjoyed a series of concerts and shows in The Bay Area which included some of our favorite artists – he nicknamed it “Roya Fest”. We enjoyed Roya Fest 2 at our home by watching some of our favorite artists perform at different festivals on the big screen. 
• Cake & Macaroons – What’s a birthday without cake!? I told Josh he didn’t have to make me a cake, but he make a tasty vegan sponge cake with apricot filling. It was so tasty I ate it for breakfast the next day! 

This year I had so much to be grateful for…

• A healthy pregnancy and baby
• Our dog Prince Henry coming into our lives
• An incredible partner who makes everyday so special
• Our beautiful home and life in San Diego
• Our health and living a healthy lifestyle 
• Creating a beautiful collection of vegan recipes that we will have forever via our cookbook
• Friendships that continue to grow and expand
• Another year of life around the sun 

We had birthday crepes and pancakes – yum!

A few things I’m looking forward to…

• Meeting Baby B in the fall!!
• Becoming a mom
• Exploring San Diego together as a family 
• Diving deeper into friendships and celebrating the arrival of our baby together 
• Experiencing the solar eclipse with my joonam Josh
• Familymoon with Josh & Baby B
• Launching our cookbook The Vegan Persian Kitchen 
• Year 3 of our marriage and growing even closer through shared experiences — such as becoming parents!
• Enjoying our home and the orchard as a family
• Continuing to feel better each day →  less nauseous and tired

We enjoyed vegan sushi at The Village SD – they even brought out a beautiful birthday dessert!

The big reveal! John Legend is one of my favorite artists. I had no idea what was going on until I saw the screen! It was the best birthday surprise ever! 😀

What’s on your birthday wish list? Write out your birthday wish list, the things you’re grateful for, and what you’re looking forward to in the next year!

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Hi there, my name is Roya — that means dream in Farsi– I am a creator, marketer, adventurer, dreamer, curator of experiences, and plant-based lover of food on the search for the best plant-based restaurants in the world. 

My husband Josh and I own several acres in San Diego and it is our mission to live our best life while eating food that is fresh, healthy, tasty, AND good for the environment. Come along on our journey with us.

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