Best Week Ever!

Ok, maybe not best week ever, but this past week has been the best week of 2013.  Do you ever have a good feeling on Sunday that the upcoming week will be a really good one?  Typically, I am always optimistic about the upcoming week or just a new day in general.  However, there was a point on Sunday where I just had a really good feeling something big was going to happen.

One of my favorites from the Stella & Dot spring line!

My week began in the early hours of Sunday when the Notre Dame men's basketball team beat Louisville in 5/OT.  I know, very minor, but I love a close game especially when my team wins.  After maybe 5 or so hours of sleep, I met up with some of the #dirtyrunners for a Sunday morning run.  I will admit, my training for the Cleveland Marathon, has been a bit off, but I felt great after finishing my long run despite falling way behind everyone else for the last few group miles and adding a few more to bring me up to where I should be for training.

Cleveland Rocks!!

While warming up from a chilly run, I set up a Facebook page for one of my latest ventures, becoming  a Stella & Dot stylist!  My good friend Julie has been one and after many conversations, and a little convincing, I signed on!  Afterwards, Brad and I headed to the Great Big Home + Garden Show.  Overall, my favorite part was the garden displays which captured U.S Landmarks.  Some really captured every detail such as the one modeled after Augusta.  As a baseball fan, I was slightly disappointed with the interpretation of Wrigley Field.  They missed the ivy covered wall and to me, it looked like any other baseball field.  After admiring the gardens and deciding we one day will be hot tub owners, we headed to Fat Heads for lunch and beer sampling.  Food wise, I recommend the smokey wings, which are whole chicken wings, rubbed, grilled, then sauced just as I like to make them in the summer.

An ivy-less Wrigley

Augusta.  Felt like we were at the Masters

For the most part, the remainder of the week was somewhat normal.  Brad and I had a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner at The Black Pig where I enjoyed roasted duck and he enjoyed the Ohio Beef entree of steak and short rib, or as Ron Swanson would say, "Turf and Turf".  After dinner, we headed to Great Lakes for dessert.  Aside from tapping the Alberta Clipper, they were offering a tasting of Alberta Clipper, Edmund Fitzgerald, Blackout Stout, and Woodtooth Porter along with a red velvet cupcake, Edmund Fitz ice cream in a chocolate shot glass, and a chocolate covered ginger snap.  In other words, a plate of my favorite treats!!

The way to my heart!

While all the above would make for a pretty awesome, yet normal, week for me, what made this the best week of 2013 so far was a phone call I received on Wednesday morning.  I WAS OFFERED AND I ACCEPTED A LABORATORY CONSULTANT POSITION!!!  I finally found a job that will fit my background, personality, and career aspirations.  Here's to new beginnings on March 4th!!

Celebratory bubbles

**Disclaimer: I was given 2 tickets to the Great Big Home + Garden Show.  All opinions are 100% my own.**

Caprese Chicken

Have you ever had one of those nights where you just are not sure what to make for dinner?  You don't feel like dining out or making an impromptu trip to the store.  You know you have things in the fridge that you used within the past week, are still good, but only have a few good days left.  You also have a wonderful side dish you pinned or saw somewhere that you are dying to try.  This was Monday for me!

I have been wanting to make balsamic roasted potatoes for a few weeks since seeing them on Pinterest.  I also knew there were a few chicken breasts in the freezer, some white wine, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella that needed to be used very soon.  Unfortunately, our basil plant did not like the cold last week and has seen better days.  I decided to lightly saute the chicken the let it cook in the white wine.  I diced up the tomatoes and tossed them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, an Italian herb blend, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.  This was served on top of the chicken with a slice of mozzarella.  Originally, if the basil looked better, I was going to do a caprese salad.  However, I had to improvise and this was the end result!

Here's how I made this:

1. Season chicken with sea salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herb blend
2. Saute in olive oil until both sides appear cooked.  Keep chicken in the pan.
3. Add the white wine and one clove of minced garlic.  I used about 1/4th of a bottle because that is what was leftover in the fridge.  Bring sauce almost to a boil and then let simmer until it is time to eat!
4. For the tomato salad on top: Dice tomatoes (I approximately 1 roma).  Toss with a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar to taste, sea salt, pepper, and herbs.  In the future, I plan to use fresh basil, but the dried Italian herbs I used on the chicken worked in a pinch.
5. Enjoy!!

Treat Yo' Self + A Great Big WINNER!

Happy Monday!  First of all, thanks to everyone who entered my Great Big Giveaway!  You can still save $1 purchasing tickets online using the code HUNGRYCLE.  I am looking forward to checking out the Great Big Home + Garden Show this weekend!  For more chances to win, check out Bite Buff and Why? CLE.

Congratulations to TISH who was comment #20: "tweeted again today for another entry. can you tell i am dying to go??"

Winner was chosen using random.org.

Lately, I have been catching up on the series Parks and Recreation.  I know, the show has been on for four seasons, but I haven't seen an episode until this fall when Vice President Biden made a guest appearance.  Since then, between Netfilx and DVDs, I am almost all caught up.  There was an episode during season 4 in which the characters of Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Donna (Rhetta) went on their yearly day of indulgence with the motto "Treat Yo Self"

What I took away from this episode is not to go out and spend frivolously, but to "treat yo'self" on a regular basis.  It could be as simple as taking 10 minutes of "me time" in the middle of the day to just be.  It could be a night out with friends/significant other at your favorite restaurant.  It also could be your daily workout.  So this week, when stress is piling up or life is getting to you, remember to take time and "Treat Yo'Self".

Whether is is simple or over indulgent, what is your favorite way to "Treat Yo'Self"?

**Disclaimer: I was asked to promote the Great Big Home + Garden show on my blog.  In return, I was given a pair of tickets to giveaway, and another for me and a guest to "treat ourselves" at the show.  As always, opinions are 100% my own**

A Great Big Giveaway!

Despite the freezing cold temperatures, spring is in the air at the IX Center.  The fourth annual Great Big Home + Garden Show will be taking place from Saturday, February 2, through Sunday, February 10.

Over 650 home, garden, and culinary exhibitors will be on hand to inspire you and give you new ideas to bring new life to your home.  There will be demonstrations, attractions, and the chance to meet celebrities.  Some highlights include:

• A 4,000 square foot Idea Home and 2,000 square foot Dream Basement which will allow visitors to get ideas on how to make their dream home a reality
• The Garden Showcase which will feature 17 U.S. Landmarks
• The Main Stage and The Loretta Paganini Cooking Stage
• The chance to meet:
• Chris Crary (Ohio-native) from Top Chef
• Matt Fish of Melt Bar and Grilled
• Matt Fox from HGTV
• Peter Walsh from TLC's "Clean Sweep"

Tickets are $11.00 (online) for adults, $10.00 for seniors (age 65+), and $5.00 for kids ages 6-12.  Use the code HUNGRYCLE and receive $1 online ticket purchases.  Or, you can WIN 2 tickets from me!  You have until Sunday, January 27th at noon to enter.  Winner will be selected Sunday night and announced Monday morning.  How do you enter?

1. Leave a comment telling me what you what reminds you most of springtime in Cleveland.  
2. Tweet "I want to catch spring fever with @HungryInCLE at @GreatBigShow http://bit.ly/WUazj8"  (You can tweet once daily, leave a comment each time you do so.)

Good luck and maybe I will see you there!!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to promote The Great Big Home + Garden Show on my blog. In return, I was given two tickets for myself, and two tickets to give away.  All opinions are 100% my own**

Power Smoothie

I have always been a smoothie lover, particularly berry smoothies.  Lately, I have been pinning more smoothies and trying to incorporate one each day either for breakfast or post Insanity.  Yesterday, I finally came up with the perfect peanut butter banana protein smoothie.  In the past, I always could taste the protein powder or the texture was slightly off.  Here's what I did!

2/3 cup of skim milk
1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. peanut butter (I always use the natural or organic PB)
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
1 banana

It's as simple as blend and enjoy.  I used my hand blender, but any blender will work.

What is your favorite smoothie??

Are you Ready for Some Football???

After last night's upsetting BCS National Championship game, you would think football would be the last thing I would be writing about.  However, registration is now open for one of my favorite fundraising events...BvB CLE!!!  

Last year, we raised over $41,000 for the Alzheimer's Association and, despite losing to #TeamBlonde, had fun doing so.  I will once again be taking the field with #TeamBrunette to tackle Alzheimer's and get revenge on #TeamBlonde on June 15!  So how can you get in on the action this year??

1: Registration is now open online.  Remember, only girls can play.  Redheads and all other hues are free agents.  Once again, there is a fundraising goal of $250 and you must attend practices.

2: Come to our Battle of the Bombshells happy hour kickoff this Friday at Around the Corner in Lakewood.  $20 will get you all you can eat and drink from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about BvBCLE, sign up to play or coach, join a committee, and have a fun night out with friends.  There will also be a raffle with many fun prizes, such a s a booze wagon, to win.

3: Not sure you want to gear up and take the field?  There are many opportunities to join various committees.

4: Check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

I was once again asked to be an official blogger for BvBCLE and will be back to "Monday Night Football" posts every other Monday.  I am looking forwards to getting back on the field and helping exceed this year's fundraising goal of $50,000!  

2012 Team Brunette

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!  

Hope your day is filled with family, friends, good food, and many blessings!

For a peek at some of my family traditions, go here!