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Did You Know that Bees and Dogs Can Smell Fear?

/ foodsweatandbeers / 15 Comments

So, at the end of every year, I hoard my vacation time in hopes for my grown-up version of winter break. And, since I was a grade-A hoarder this year, I’ve successfully collected enough to leave this Friday for over a week!  I’m incredibly excited for a long break without feeling like I’m packing to leave the moment I get settled in a new place.

With that long break looming, though, I have an important task to accomplish.

Daunting, eh?

I’ve gotta eat my way through the remainders of my fridge/freezer. Or at least the perishable foods.  No spinach left behind, and all that good stuff.  Considering the fact that about 40% of my fridge space is taken up by beer, I’m not actually too worried, but there’s still a reasonable amount of eating to do.

Enter the classic “Everything Pizza.” Tonight’s pie was just that, using a base of the tail end of a bag of pre-made whole wheat dough from Harris Teeter. The toppings was where it got really tasty, though:

I popped it in the oven at 425 for about 14-16 minutes, and VOILA!!

Molto bene!!

It was good to the last bite, and fancy-girl cameras always make it look even tastier.  As per, I covered the bad boy with oregano and crushed reds (in essence, probably obliterating any natural flavor from the pizza’s ingredients). Hey, tasty’s tasty, in my book.  I’ve still got a few eggs left, and some spinach to take care of, but it’s nothing a little omelet or two can’t handle.  Needless to say, I’m counting down the seconds to head up to Philly and maybe enjoy some everything bagels and a buffalo chicken cheesesteak (or two).

Since it’s Monday and a segue between pizza and the following subject is too tough, let’s just jump into it: Jonathan Lipnicki.

You might know him better as Ray Boyd from Jerry Maguire.

”]Wasn’t he just the cutest? Well, guess what he’s been doing in the past 15 years?

”]Apparently, sit-ups. And weight lifting. And getting tattoos.

At first, this made me feel old.

Then, I realized I love all those things too. And that Jonathan Lipnicki would probably give me a sexy side-eye if I were at the gym, especially since I’m 3 years older than he is. What child star doesn’t love a successful older woman?

Oh, yeah. (click for source!)

Or older man for you, Chris.  Either way.

Do you have any favorite “clean out the fridge” recipes?

How about any famous child stars ALL GROWN UP?

 

Six Pack Sunday: Santa Rampage 2011 in Durham

/ foodsweatandbeers / 9 Comments

Ugh.

I am currently reminded why I no longer go out on the town every week (or 3-4x a week) a la college.  I’ll shoot you straight, though, if my morning tummy troubles are a result of even a fraction of the fun I had last night, it’s well worth it.

Today’s Six Pack Sunday is honor of my always-fantastic Santa Rampage experience.  This is actually my fourth year Running with the Santas and, whether it’s in a group of 50 or a group of four (last year, we were a Christmas Quad), it’s never NOT hilarious and excellent to don a Santa costume and spread Christmas cheer (and enjoy Christmas beer beers.)  It’s also a great reminder that theme parties don’t have to end at graduation.  I personally hope to continue throwing and attending theme parties well into my geriatric years.  Then again, an Anything But Clothes Party at the retirement home might not have the same appeal as it did in the fraternity house.

Moving on.

1. Just call me Santa Crocker

My Bag o' Treats!

Pictured with an ADORABLE (and incredibly thoughtful) card from Hannah, that’s a bag chock full of Coconut Snickerdoodles and Candied Christmas Cashews (and Almonds!)

It’s settled, I will be making these EVERY YEAR for the rampage.  The appreciation of fellow bar-goers for some tasty treats while they booze.  Even though bar snacks aren’t entirely coated in bacteria, I still very rarely see little bowls of nuts or wasabi peas out at establishments, and was blown away by how excited people were to get bags of cookies and nuts. And how trusting they were that I didn’t sneak razor blades or LSD into my goodies.

(I didn’t, for the record.)

2. Road Beer

Always classy

Road Beers: That beer that you have in the car after you parked but before you go out.

Does no one else do this?

Just me?

Oh, good.

3. I am obsessed with my new camera

Hi. You're Hot.

It’s a total game changer. And it’s so important for me to make my pictures of neon Pabst signs artsy.

4. It’s a Small Triangle After All…

One of these things is not like the other

I LOVE when you go out all dolled up and inevitably see someone you know (who is not dressed up like a Jolly Christmas icon). Then you get awesome pictures like this one.

5. Riding the Bull

That's one slippery bull

After a tricky mounting, I eventually made it on top of the infamous Durham Bull statue.

Yee haw!

As you can tell from the gorgeous pair of bells hanging from the neck, the bull was also in the Holiday spirit.

As you can tell from the other pair hanging on the bull, it’s a boy.

6. Only the Good Die Jung

Bahaha, we get it.

Freudian slips be damned, as a psychology major, Carl Jung puns are where it’s at.

My fellow psychology nerd pal, Melissa and I, had to get a picture with this Jung-loving bartender.

Quality evening, all around. I’m off to gather up the courage to hit the gym (or nibble on leftover cashews…)

Candied Christmas Cashews!

/ foodsweatandbeers / 13 Comments

Yesterday, I received one of my first “holiday” gifts from a coworker.

Merry, indeed!

Though that festive looking Snowman tried his damndest to hoard all the sugared almonds, I finagled the bag away and managed to enjoy the entire little baggy over the course of yesterday afternoon/evening. I was totally hooked, and after she mentioned that the “recipe” was basically “Pour, mix, let them cool, gobble them up!” I knew what I had to do when I got home.

All I really needed. I like recipes like that.

With the help of a barely-eaten bag of raw cashews that I got a while ago for a Foodie Penpal Exchange, some sugar, and cinnamon, I was on my way.

Mixah Mixah Mixah!

Here’s the recipe, full credit to my coworker Anne, though she’s blogless, so just imagine a lovely blonde California marathon runner serving up a warm batch of these:

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds Candied Christmas Cashews!!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

3 cups raw almonds Cashews (or any other nut)

1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup water

 

Directions: In a large skillet combine the sugar, cinnamon and water. Add the almonds cashews and stir constantly with a spoon over medium heat, coating the almonds nuts with the syrupy mixture. Keep stirring until the sugar crystallizes. Remove the pan from heat and scoop the almonds cashews onto wax or parchment paper. Let the cinnamon almonds cashews cool before serving. These can be made a few days ahead.

I could hardly wait for them to cool before I popped a few in my mouth.

Terribly tempting

Trust me, though, they’re just as tasty the next day during lunch as they are right after making them.

Color block Jordan APPROVED!

And since I wanted to show off my bag of goodies and my brightly colored outfit, I even nibbled a few outside in the crisp 65 degree December weather.

Though it doesn’t feel as cold as Christmas time, yet, these would make great presents for anyone who isn’t allergic to nuts. So much so, in fact, that I hope to receive a 3lb bag of my own.

Have you ever gifted or received a DIY present?  What was it ?!

 

Grad School Rejection and What I Really Should Study

/ foodsweatandbeers / 7 Comments

Real talk: I don’t deal well with rejection.

This time last year, I was flying high, preparing to dominate the GRE (which I did, don’t worry). I was applying for a dual degree program that I felt fairly confident I’d get into after hearing from former professors, current mentors, bosses, parents, friends, family members, and anyone in between that I was totally set for it.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t get in. 

On my way to a beer pairing dinner (what else?), my beau called me to mention a (not-so-big) envelope was in the mail from the only school I applied to. My heart skipped several beats as he drove the 3 minutes over to drop off my envelope. He waited with me as I tore open the frail paper, smiling the whole time.  He grinned, excited for the next step in my life, proud of me. Then, he watched, as the hope in my heart was torn out as, eyes glistening, I looked up at him.

Crestfallen is not a word I use often, but no word better describes how I feel I must’ve looked at that moment.

I don’t remember the last time before that which dealt me that feeling of rejection. It may have been show choir in middle school. Needless to say, mature 12 year old that I was refused to ever try out for that same choir again. Don’t worry, I showed them all in high school by rocking every national anthem singing I could get my hands on (or my vocal pipes on?) But other than that, I just wasn’t accustomed to rejection. I made the athletic teams I tried out for, I got into the colleges I applied to, and got a bid in the fraternity of my dreams.  But the bigger they are, the harder they fall, right?

I fell hard that day, and it took me months to even contemplate what I would do next.

As I open myself up for that same rejection again (applying for a whole new round of schools because I have no interest in putting all my eggs in one basket like I did last year), I’m stressed, scared, and anxious.  Yes, I’m hopeful, but all those other adjectives have a tendency to block that hope.

In an attempt to lighten the mood (my mood, honestly), I’ve decided to whip up a post about what I really should study at a graduate level.  I could probably teach a course on the following subjects:

1. Introductory Event Announcing

PAY ATTENTION TO ME!

PAY ATTENTION TO ME!

Translation? Be the loudest person in a large group. Inevitably, someone will need SOMETHING announced, right? Thank goodness I got all that vocal rest the year I didn’t get into show choir.

2. Siberian Temperature Denial

Snow is a joke.

Snow is a joke.

Nearly frozen ocean? Dive on in.

Middle of the winter? Heaters are for suckers and saps.

Outdoor football tailgate at the end of the season? Grab that mini skirt.

Flip flops are a requirement at all times, snowfall included.

I refuse to admit it’s winter. It’s sort of like an art.

3. Unretentive Privacy 

Translation? I force people to pinky swear about things and never remember why.

In the past 3 years, I’ve demanded about 48 people to pinky swear something with me. I remember approximately none of these secrets.  Shhh… don’t tell.

4. Overenthusiasm in Formal Attire

Took the midnight train going ANYWHEREEEEE!

Took the midnight train going ANYWHEREEEEE!

Whether it’s a wedding, a convention, a banquet, or a cocktail party, chances are I’ll end up singing. Loudly. I’ll jump up and down and, if you’re lucky, I’ll pump the Jersey right out of my fist. I’m never not ready to party harder than all the other guests.

In fact, just inviting me to a party is basically a challenge.

CHALLENGE: ACCEPTED!!

5. Advanced Theme Party Dedication

Paranormal Party?  Only the most dedicated theme-party-goers would cover their body head-to-toe in long-lasting fake blood for a Carrie costume.

I was pink for days.

Unfortunately for me (and really, for the whole world), these are not viable educational paths. I guess I’ll have to get back to the real applications….

What would be your dream educational path?  

What fictitious course could you teach to a class full of eager students?

TYT Featuring a TST

/ foodsweatandbeers / 9 Comments

Gooooood afternoon, friends!

So, apparently, with my Treat Yo’ Self Six Pack Sunday, I made a bit of a SMFP (Social Media Faux Pas).  APPARENTLY, the real trending phrase that all the cool kids (on Twitter) use is #TreatYourselfTuesday.

Don’t I just feel like Amber walking into the party wearing Cher’s exact same outfit.

Yup, definitely that outfit.

Oh well, the real moral of the story is that you should Treat Yourself EVERY DAY!!  Then, we all win.

Today, I decided to treat myself with one of my very favorite sandwiches.  It’s called The TST (Tuna, Spinach, Tomato) and it’s a grown up version of my favorite sammy as a little kid.

Big Girl Lunches for Big Girl Things!

Those three little nibbles on the left of the sammy aren’t actually because I always  nibble three bites of bread before making a sandwich (that’d be an irritating and time consuming habit), but because my bread of choice, the Arnold’s Healthfull Nutty Grain (a new favorite!! 80 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber per slice) was far too big for the office toaster.

Little kid Jordan would’ve had her tuna sammy on white bread, stuffed with some Doritos for crunch. And while putting Doritos on a sandwich is a trend that will NEVER die with me, it’s not exactly the healthiest option, so, in this case, spinach and tomato provided just the right texture mixup that I needed.

Here’s another habit that I picked up as a little kid that hasn’t changed in all my years.

How many nibbles does it take to get to the center?

I always like to bite around the sandwich (or slice of pizza… or French toast… or breakfast sammy) and save what I designate as the “Best Bite” for last.

Luckily, in some cases, every bite is the best bite.

In those cases, all bets are off.

How about you?

Do you like to eat the best part of your ______ first? Or save it for last?

Six Pack Sunday: Treat Yo’ Self

/ foodsweatandbeers / 10 Comments

My goodness. A Sunday where I’m not headed to the airport, or saying goodbye to someone I love as they head out?!  I forgot what this kind of day felt like.  It’s been a busy weekend, but definitely not quite the chaos of jet-setting that I’ve become accustomed to.  It’s like a breath of fresh air to not be skittering around trying to cram as much as I can into a weekend.

That being said, it didn’t stop me from cramming a lot in there (I think there is a that’s what she said joke to be found somewhere in there, but I’m not in that kind of mood.)

This week’s Six Pack Sunday seems to revolve around beers (duh), buddies, and bells. Jingle bells (read: Holiday cheer.)

1. A Partridge Brewski in a Pear Beer Tree

Tastes like holiday fun!

On Thursday night at Rockfish, I enjoyed my first official Christmas beer on tap!  The dubious honor went to the Anchor Steam 37th Annual Christmas Ale . Anchor Steam, a brewery that Caitlin introduced me to after her hubby ventured to San Francisco for work, doesn’t always produce my favorite beers. My opinion was rocked, though, with this Christmas Ale! It tasted like mulled wine, done with beer. Cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe even a little fir tree? Either way. The taste was on point, and the complimentary glass, rimmed in gold, makes me feel like a fancy pants. Or a Santa pants.

2. Treat Yo’ Self

Don't mind if I do...

In case you don’t watch Parks and Recreation (I don’t), or you don’t use the internet (I hope someone printed this post out for you, weirdo), you might not be familiar with “Treat Yo’ Self”. Well, please observe the following video, summarizing the concept:

Well, I figured that Saturday morning, I’d do just that. After getting nearly all my Christmas shopping done before 10 a.m., I decided to treat myself with a pair of new tall black leather boots AND some homemade pumpkin French toast.

I’ll clue you in on a little secret: for me, pumpkin French toast just means that I mix pumpkin and pumpkin spice into the egg dip. It worked, it was delicious and decadent, and I felt like a little princess.

3. Applications: NO BREATHING!

Sweet set up

Yesterday, the only true goal of my afternoon was to finish up my personal statement. After working on it for several hours (who would’ve ever thought it’d be so hard to state my purpose?), I completed it at the Nordstrom eCafe!  In case you’re not aware, the Nordstrom at Southpoint has free wireless which is reliable enough to stream Pandora! And, after dropping some SERIOUS change there earlier in the day, I figured I should finish my work where I started my morning. My romance with Nordstrom knows no bounds. None.

PS: Contrary to popular belief, my purpose is not just “Drink awesome beers, sweat up a storm while I dance, and dress up in wacky outfits because theme parties are the defining occurrences of my life.”

That would’ve been a much easier essay to write.

4. Speaking of Wacky Outfits…

Fashion is my middle name.

Leggings, boots, Santa suit, undies on my head, and PBR suspenders aren’t what you wear when you go out on a Friday night?

Well, maybe you should try it.

North Carolina Girls’ Pint Out’s First Annual Festival of Beermas was a HUGE success, but I’ll write a full post on that later.  In the meantime, just go crazy and Polyvore my whole outfit.

5. Classy Broads Drink Classy Drinks

Oh, you fancy, huh?

My new friend, Amanda, and I went to celebrate the completion of my essay with some big girl drinks at Fox Liquor Bar.  This Raleigh establishment reminded me a lot of the Crunkleton in Chapel Hill where the focus is on well crafted cocktails made with care and love.  And giant ice cubes.

My drink of choice was the Late Night Reviver: Beefeater gin, Fernet Branca, ginger, lime juice, soda water. Shake and served long with a garnish of candied ginger.  Amanda went with the classic Old Fashioned.

The best looking pair at the bar, other than us, of course

Hopefully, the classiness of our cocktails out offset the magnum of Arbor Mist we consumed in a Rugrats drinking game earlier in the night.

It’s all about balance, right?

6. Rap Battle in the Basement

I could be hallucinating but, if the sounds I hear are correct, this is what’s going on in the apartment below me:

Is this 8 Mile? (click for source)

There’s a lot of loud, angry rap music going on and I think my floor is vibrating.

If I’m missing Eminem rhyme birthday with first place, I’m gonna be super ticked.

If he’s shirtless, the ticked is going to be on a whole new level (woops. Confession of attraction to shirtless white rapper for the day? Check.)

Jeez, I think I need a nap.

How would you “Treat Yo’ Self”?  Fine leather goods?

 

 

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Channa Masala

/ foodsweatandbeers / 11 Comments

Hooray!

It’s Thursday!

I know, I know, it’s not Friday, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.   The light is probably Rudolph’s Nose, as Friday night is North Carolina Girls’ Pint Out’s First Annual Festival of BEERMAS!!  I’ve dusted off my hat and beard, and after today’s lunch, my belly is feeling particularly jolly.

Ho, ho, WHOAH!

As I nuked the Trader Joe’s Channa Masala, my tiny igloo apartment filled with the warm smells of Indian spices, and my tummy started rumbling. This was the first time I’ve ever tried this particular dish, and was so excited with how it turned out!

Since I didn’t have any rice on hand and, honestly, I kinda burned out on rice in my first year post-grad (rice, beans, cheese. all meals, every meal), I put down a solid base of spinach and just ladled the goods out on top. The chickpeas managed to not be too mushy as sometimes frozen foods can feel, and the base of spinach worked perfectly with the spices. While I actually wish there’d been more of a kick, spice-wise, I understand that, for the masses, sometimes you gotta tone it down a bit. It awakened the Indian food bug inside my belly, and I’m CRAVING some more, post-haste. Maybe I can convince someone to join me this weekend…. (or head over to TJs for some more of these goodies.)

In other news, it got COLD in North Carolina!!!

This morning, I was met with a 31 degree temperature and, when I stepped out to the car, a rude awakening of frost.  And, although I am the only member of my family that doesn’t own an ice scraper, I made due.

Ladies and gents: The Southern Girl’s Last-Effort Scraper!

Ta-Da!

Have you got an old Nickelback CD that you’d rather throw away than feature prominently in your car? Ashamed of that Baha Men phase in your life?  Collected a few too many of those free AOL CDs?  WORRY, NO MORE!  Your lame musical tastes and hoarding tendencies can be transformed into a practical and fun tool for the cold weather.

Toss on some gloves (because you’re getting up close and personal with this frost, no handles here!), and grab the CD, then get to scraping!!

Defrosters? I scoff at them.

You’d be surprised how fast you can scrape an entire car’s worth of windows when your hand basically becomes a scraper.  It’s much more flexible than a scraper with a handle and you can cover a lot of ground when you’re a long-armed scraping fiend like me.  For all you short folks with tiny raptor arms, I’m sorry and hope you manage to move to a warm location where your arm length won’t hinder your ability to get out in the morning.

Poor guy...

Now that the world’s thawed out a bit, I’ve got a lot on my plate. I’ll be baking some beer bread for the Festival of Beermas tomorrow, and hosting the Carolina Brewing Company’s Winter Porter glass night at Rockfish.  In the meantime, I’ll just be bundling up, thanking my lucky stars I found these fake rabbit fur earmuffs at Booth’s Corner in the summer.

Baby, it's cold inside

Do you ever MacGyver any of your belongings into new, handy contraptions? 

Other than the CD Scraper, best I’ve got lately may be using a can to crush up some graham cracker crumbs…

What’s your favorite food for when the weather gets chilly?

Chili for the chilly?

Orange You Glad It’s Freezing Out?

/ foodsweatandbeers / 14 Comments

No. The short and  simple answer to that question, for me at least, is no!

When I woke up in my apartment this morning, I was not unlike a groggy, angry bear who was forced out of hibernation too early.

I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant...

I was the opposite of a happy camper. I was an unhappy…. home-dweller.  It wasn’t pretty (as you can see.)

Lunchtime, though, did bring one happy winter reminder into my mind (and, later, into my belly):

The S&P Bears envy their juicy goodness

Navel oranges have made their way into the “cheap” season at my local grocery store, and the former-soccer player and future soccer-parent in me are both elated.

Last volleyball season, I can’t tell you the number of oranges I sliced and wore in my mouth like a neon smile while my teammates nibbled and looked on in confusion.  I flipping love oranges.

Stopping by the grocery store during lunch was also important because I needed some essentials.  Namely, veggies and sandwich thins.

Today after work, I have to head to Durham for some last minute preparations for the North Carolina Girls’ Pint Out Festival of BEERMAS along with some other errands, so I won’t be able to enjoy a home-cooked dinner like I am fond of doing.  Luckily, a can drain and a few chops into lunch, I had prepared both my midday meal and my evening ingredients.

La Banderita for the senorita!

For the lunch version, I whipped up some  tuna salad with low-fat mayo, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  With enough veggies stuffed inside of a wrap, a can of tuna can definitely make two sandwich “innards” for me, so this worked out perfectly.

ALSO, the La Banderita low-carb, low fat tortillas were a discovery of mine when I first started Weight Watchers, and I’ve sworn by them ever since.  With 81 calories, 6 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of fat, they are absolutely a staple in my household, especially for taco nights or quesadilla feasts.

Anyway, the final product was a very colorful wrap with spinach, tuna, avocado, tomato, cucumbers, and a final dusting of the (now empty) bag of Crackerful chips from my Foodie Penpal of November (sad to see them go…)

The giant looms over her meal, ready to pounce

My shadow over the food means I was starving and, promptly after this photo was snapped, scarfed my food down whilst watching Top Chef: Texas.  On the side were some steamed green beans/carrots with a butter sauce and some cranberries, from a frozen pack that was just waiting for me to eat them up.

I took the leftovers of this meal and turned it into a sandwich form for the evening realizing that, while I don’t love to go three meals in a row with the same food, two for me is pretty normal.  I realized long ago that cooking single serving meals was a pain, expensive, and a little depressing.

Now, when I’m in the kitchen roasting up enough vegetables for a small village, I pretend that maybe that village is coming over for dinner. (Fact: They never do, so I just eat their portions gradually over time.)

I’ve got a bag of goodies for later loaded with an orange, a sandwich, and some green beans, ready to take on whatever Durham’s got to give.  And, despite the freezing temperatures (of 50 degrees. I’m a weakling when it comes to temperature), I plan on finishing out No Heat November in style, orange in hand.

And in just two days, I’ll be starting off December the best way possible.  Suds and Santa style!

Just call me Santa's Little Helper

Do you have any fruits/veggies that you anxiously await for each year?

A Little Spice is NICE! November Foodie Penpal!

/ foodsweatandbeers / 14 Comments

Hey there friends and neighbors!

My first day back from the long weekend was actually a half-day, as I received a mere 3 hours of sleep on Sunday night. The combination of an early flight, puppy hair inhalation (resulting in a restless night of sneezing), and a last minute visit from the beau, along with a rather chatty early morning airplane crew and I was plum tuckered out. Zombie Jordan is not a productive employee, so I took some sick time to replenish my slumber funds.  Voila, a new woman!

And, waiting for me, was a delicious package, most of which I’ve been holding back on due to frequent trips and traveling.  Lisa from The Healthy Diaries was my lovely Foodie Penpal for this month!!  And little miss Lisa spoiled me rotten.

(In case you’re late in the game, check out my packages from Allie in September and Laura in October.)

Lisa’s package was the full Monty.

Holy DELICIOUS!

I’ll admit, I love that the majority of my packages have been savory and delicious.  While sweet treats are fun, I can’t help but follow my spicy and salty nature…. and it’s led to some AMAZING sauces, dips, and flavors in my mouth.

In my package:

Be still my savory-lovin’ heart!

My regular post-workout snack has been the crackers dipped in the Pepper Jelly. Or, really, my anytime-at-all snack. I’m addicted to the pepper jelly. I want it slathered on my lips like chapstick. But, in the meantime, it makes for a great base of a egg-cheddar-pepper jelly sammy!!

Match made in heaven (egg not pictured)

And for Monday night’s meal, a total treat:

Skillet Sauce, anyone?

Just a little sauteed onions, browned chicken, and some skillet sauce, and I had myself the makings for a totally delightful dinner.

This skillet sauce adds flavor to the most basic of ingredients, and couldn’t have been simpler.  Toss some of the mix on top of a salad base consisting of spinach, avocado, tomato, salsa, and a bit of cheese… Perfecto!

El Gigante

I’ll admit, I’ve got an aversion to Mustard (should’ve mentioned that in my email! woops), but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it in the future. And the next day I grab some serious avocados, you bet I’ll be getting my guac fix.

Thank you, Lisa, you palate-pensive penpal! You nailed my taste, and freshened up my kitchen in a time of need (after traveling so much, my cupboards were virtually bare!)

A penpal in need is a penpal, indeed.

If you’re curious about what I sent to Lindsay, check it out at The Lean Green Bean’s Foodie Penpal post!! (She’s the lady that organized this whole shebang, so I felt like I was writing poetry for Shakespeare or sending Bumpits to Snookie).

Thanks, Jordan, but I think I got this.

And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. *US Residents only please at this time- hopefully we can expand soon!*

If you’re interested in participating for December, please send  an email to Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com  by December 4th and include the following information:

-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)

Maybe you’ll get a sexy package from MOI! or be able to send me one!! And, tis the season… It’s better to give than receive, right?

I do love making holiday themed packages, too! Oooh lala.

Six Pack Sunday: Thanksgiving Hangover

/ foodsweatandbeers / 7 Comments

Ah, the post-Thanksgiving hangover.  It’s not really a booze hangover, as much as it’s an “Overeating, overdrinking, under-workingout, miss-my-family-alread” hangover.  And I’m feeling it (though I don’t actually leave until tomorrow morning.)

The boys have started trickling back to their respective towns (I’m the eldest of five kids, 3 brothers, 1 sister) and the relative quiet in the house is setting in. Yes, there’s still my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, two dogs, and a turtle with me…. but you know what I mean.

It’s been a busy weekend, and though I didn’t take my camera out too much, I managed to snap a few bits and pieces for this week’s Six Pack Sunday.

Six Pack Sunday: Thanksgiving Hangover

1. Pretzel Perfection

Hear that chorus of angels?

I never ever eat pretzels in North Carolina. It’s just not something I’ll go out and get for myself.

In Pennsylvania, though, all bets are off. When I’m around Snyder’s hard pretzels, I can’t control myself. And the twist in the middle of the pretzel…. if anyone says that’s not the best part, they’re just sitting on a throne of LIES!

2. Sipping on Small Business Saturday 

Wanna get more customers in the store on Small Business Saturday?

Mimo party!!

Offer free mimosas to customers.

Bonus perk: they drink a few, maybe they get a little looser with their moneys.  Win-win, all around.

3. S’more-tini!!

Bottoms up!

Inspired by the ever-wise Jessica’s recipe, and an airplane bottle of Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow vodka, I enjoyed a s’moretini on Friday night.

If you like your booze to taste like a campfire treat, make these. ASAP.

4. Booty Bump

Did anyone but me miss this story until just today?

Holy moly

This woman in Miami tried to get a butt implant on the cheap from a Fake Doctor named Oneal Ron Morris, who filled her butt with super glue, tire sealant, and cement for $700.

Very very scary stuff.  Folks, if you decide to get major surgery on your body, and someone is willing to “make a deal” with you, you should probably see the red flags and head for the hills.

5. Remember the Memories

Good ol' tree

My aunt, who hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year, actually lives in my old neighborhood in Delaware that I lived in from birth until about age 10.  Of course, we had to sneak over to my old house and give a hug to the tree outside of it.

Totally normal, yeah?

6. Mother-Daughter Piercing Party

Clearly having a blast

My mom and I have sort of made a tradition in the recent history of getting pierced together. It’s like we egg each other on and WHAM, my eyebrow’s pierced.

Well, this Saturday, we took a walk around downtown West Chester, PA and stumbled across High Rollers Tattoo, which received glowing reviews on Yelp.

After signing a few waivers, holding each others hands for pain transmission, and admiring our new bling, we were done!

Hoop de loop

We each got the “helix” piercing, prompting my mom to call us a Double Helix.

Now you know where I get my sense of humor.

Did you have any exciting family adventures this weekend? 

How about any impromptu piercings? No? Just me?