Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!!

From my heart to yours

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
image source
Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Hungry in Cleveland 12 Days of Christmas

Merry (almost) Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!  Yesterday morning, I received a delicious surprise from a Secret Santa (and if you are reading this, even though I have no clue who you are, thank you!)


Yes, there were a dozen LaBella cupcakes there before two hungry scientists enjoyed cupcakes for breakfast.  I later realized that "12 LaBella Cupcakes" sounds like it belongs in a parody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which lead me to come up with this fun little variation.  Enjoy!  

The Hungry in Cleveland 12 Days of Christmas
12 LaBella Cupcakes
11 Types of cheese (The Melt Challenge)
10 toppings on a Happy Dog
9 Parma pierogies
8 Malley's Milk Chocolate Bars
7 fabulous food trucks 
Lilly Truffles
5 scoops of Honey Hut!!
And a keg of Christmas Ale!!


Oh, and my favorite version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is John Denver and The Muppets

**Side note!  The Chubby Cook has been adding more fun cooking classes to the January schedule!  Remember, use the code ALF2012 to donate 40% of the cost of the class to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising effort!  Or make a donation right on my fundraising page!  My deadline has been extended to January 31, 2012!!**   

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your (holiday) hunger!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Cooking for a Cause


Perhaps you are wondering what to give that cook/food lover in your life for Christmas.  There are the obvious choices of fun kitchen gadgets, restaurant gift cards, and foodie friendly gift baskets.  Have you ever considered a cooking class??

Maybe you are wondering how to incorporate raw foods or vegan dishes into your diet.  Or maybe you want to learn to cook some of your favorite steakhouse meals.  

So what am I getting at here?  Beginning in January, The Chubby Cook will be offering a variety of cooking classes ranging from raw foods to "Basics of Braising" to  "Learn to Bake with the Pie Lady".  There is something for everyone.  I just may take the pie one myself (who's joining me??).  Classes are $65 and can fit into anyone's schedule.  The complete schedule and how to sign up can be found here.  Also, The Chubby Cook has agreed to donate 40% of the cost of the cooking class to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal for any January class.  When you check out, enter the code: ALF2012 by "gift certificates and coupon codes".  Not only will you be giving a great gift to a loved one (or yourself) but you will be helping the over 30 million Americans and their families who are battling liver diseases.

From The Chubby Cook's facebook page

Please remember you can also donate here until January 31, 2012.

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

***Disclaimer:  I responded to a posting by The Chubby Cook in regards to fundraising with cooking classes.  I was invited to a media preview back in the spring to see what The Chubby Cook was all about.  I am participating in Liver Life Challenge by choice.  All opinions are 100% my own***

Monday, December 12, 2011

Liver Life Challenge

If you follow me on Twitter or know me in real life, it is no big secret I have been fundraising for the American Liver Foundation.  You may have also come across my fundraising story on other wonderful CLE blogs.  CLEgal finds me inspirational.  Julie helped spread the word asking for support.  Amanda has a personal connection to my fundraising efforts.  Heather summed up how motivating running with a team can be.  As I often have said, I have two goals for the Disney Marathon and only one I can achieve on my own.  I have been training hard since late October to achieve my goal of beating my Towpath time of 4:24:11.  Saturday morning I will be braving whatever Mother Nature has in store and running 22 miles, my last really long training run before the full 26.2 on January 8th.    

Goal #2 can only be achieve through the help of others.  I am committed to raising $3400.  I would first like to thank everyone who already has generously donated.  I appreciate every penny that has been raised for Liver Life Challenge through your kind sponsorship.  Thank you to those who came out for karaoke night back in November and to those who came by Barnes and Noble last week to my gift wrapping table.  (side note on gift wrapping: If you are looking for a wrapper, let me know!!).  Even with all of these efforts, I am still quite a ways from reaching my goal.  So how can you help??

1. The easiest is visiting my fundraising page and clicking on "Sponsor me".  Just think, a donation of $26.20 breaks down to a dollar per mile I run.

2.  Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for that chef in your life?  Through Wednesday, 15% of all Pampered Chef items purchased here with me (Stephanie Hovan) as the host will go towards Liver Life Challenge.  Contact me for more information.

3.  This may be the most fun way.  I have set up a college bowl pick'em group.  Think March Madness only college football.  The winner will receive a $25 gift card to a LOCAL restaurant of your choice.  Entering is as simple as a $20 donation if you have not previously donated or a $5 donation if you already have.  Once I receive an email confirmation of your donation, I will send you the group info.  The deadline to do so is Friday, December 16.
Photo from wikipedia
As I mentioned before, I cannot fully express my gratitude for everyone who already had helped.  I cannot wait to run through Disney on January 8 knowing this marathon is helping the over 3 million Americans who are battling liver diseases.  Also, a huge thanks to Katrina for getting me involved with Liver Life Challenge and being an awesome fundraising coordinator!

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!