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

Big Winner!

My husband got me into Texas Hold-em 2 or 3 years ago. I really enjoy the game (as long as I am winning) because I view it as a game of strategy and perception. Both skills must be nurtured and you have to keep a level head throughout the game. Once you give up it is all over; you have to be determined to try your hardest until the end and yes sometimes that means everyone else will have large chip stacks and you are looking at the measly 300 dollars you have left. I guess you could call me the come back kid because people will consider me done and I will double up and am right back in the game.

Last night was no different. I had a small chip stack but was able to come back yet again. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I was head-to-head with my husband no less and the chips went in his favor in the beginning but I was determined to press on even though I had an early work meeting the next day. It paid off in the end and I have to say it is nice when the money stays in the family regardless if it is him winning or me.

Running Way

I am so excited. I have finally ran 3 miles without stopping. Not only did I run 3 miles but I was doing so well that I kept running and ended up running a little over 4 miles without stopping; then I walked and ran the other 2 miles. I have been having issues because I kept having asthma attacks. I used to be able to run long distances with no problems but through the years I have lost that ability and and trying get back to where I was.

Now this comes at a perfect time because I just signed up for my first Sprint Triathlon in May and I think that is somewhat essential that you be able to run at least 3 miles. Now I just need to work on my biking and swimming which the swimming is what concerns me the most. I do not want to drown in the man-made, Silverlake!

Wish me luck

Super Bowl Sunday

I enjoy football but I have to say that what I enjoy most on Super Bowl Sunday are the ads. This year is no different and there were some good ones and some that were not so good.

The ads that really stood out and I remember are the ones I thought were strange like the 1 second Miller High Life ad here the guy just yells Hi! Then of course you have the ones that make you laugh out loud. My favorites were the Teleflora's - Talking Flowers and the Doritos - Crystal Ball ads.

At the end of the day I had a great time and ate enough pigs-in-the-blanket, pizza rolls and dip for two people.

Live Band and Fire Show - What's not to Like

Wednesday night we headed over to The Continental Club to here the DarDans. My husband works with Darden one of the band members. It was my first time at The Continental Club and I have to say I enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice and the band was great. We called it a night around nine because it is a school night. When we started to leave we realized there was a whole other show in the back.

The Zion's Flame was in the back doing their flame eating show. It was very random to stumble onto but a nice surprise. If you have a Wednesday free you should check it out. The flame show itself is enough to pull you off the couch.