Party Recipes - That Are Always a Crowd Pleaser

These are my winning recipes that are always crowd pleasers. Another important factor is that they are easy to make. The last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen but I always seem to over extend myself trying to find those amazing dishes that people will rave about.

Who does not like a compliment or two or three. he he

Black Bean Avocado Dip

Ingredients:

3 ripe avocados
1/2 red onion, minced
1 can black beans
1 can sweet corn
1 can rotel
1/4 cup shredded cheese - your choice
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
salt & pepper to taste


Directions: Drain and rinse black beans. Peel, pit and slice avocados. Finely chop red onion. Finely mince fresh garlic. Mix all ingredients in medium bowl.

Serve with tortilla chips


Pizza Rolls

1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/4 pound Genoa salami, thinly sliced
1/4 pound pepperoni sausage, sliced
1/4 pound provolone cheese, sliced
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 fresh basil leaves
Italian seasoning

Pizza sauce for dipping

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook salami and pepporoni on stovetop to reduce the amount of grease in rolls. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Roll pizza crust dough into an approximately 10x14 inch rectangle on the baking sheet. Layer with Genoa salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese to within 1/2 inch from edges of the dough. Roll jelly roll style. Seal the edge with a fork. Bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Slice into 1 inch pieces to serve.

Race Schedule

I am only doing a few races this year but my first Sprint Triathlon. I am really trying to improve my time without doing too much. The last thing I want to do is injure myself. My first race was this last weekend so I have decided to keep track of my results for 2009. So here goes.

S.C.O.P.E. 5k 3/28/09 29:24 - First race where I have not needed to walk a portion

SilverLake Sprint Tri 5/17/09

Race for the Cure 10/3/09

Bootcamp Time

I have been going to my womens only bootcamp twice a year since I turned 30. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and kicks my butt back into shape. What is better than waking up at 4:40 in the morning to make a 5am class? Just think once you finish your 8 to 5 you are done for the day. You do not have to worry about how you are going to work in working out and dinner prep time.

Karen always times you the first week and the last week to see what type of improvements you have made. We just had our timed test and I have to say I am pretty proud of myself but just because I was interested I found the email of what my times were from my very first bootcamp. Yes, I keep every email and yes the email is from 3 years ago.

In 2006 at the age of 30 she tested us on planks and 1 mile runs now she test us on situps, pushups and 1 mile runs. The only thing that I can really compare is the run so here goes.

2006 Results: Run - 12:03 the first day and 9:17 the last day of class
2009 Results: Run - 8:10 the first week and 7:55 the last day of class

I just have to share my situp and pushup times though because like I said I am proud of myself.

We had 1 minute to complete and here are my results.

Beginning of Bootcamp
Pushup: 46
Situps: 40

End of Bootcamp
Pushup: 52
Situps: 43