Getting to know you...

This is a slightly different post but since one of my favorite #DirtyRunner tweeps #TheLogo (Jess) tagged me, it seemed like a fun post to write.  So here we go!

The Rules:

• Post these rules
• You must post 11 random things about yourself
• Answer the questions set for you in their post
• Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
• Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
• No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 random things about Steph

1. I began school a year earlier than most kids since I taught myself how to read before I was 4.
2. I have a younger brother named Greg.  When my mom was pregnant, I really wanted a brother and told my parents if the baby was a girl, she would have to live with my grandparents. 

   

   JCU commencement 2011

3. Before I die, I want to run a marathon in all 50 states (already have 2 down, Ohio and Florida)
4. Until high school, I wanted to be a TV meteorologist
5. I don't watch much TV, but I have an obsession with the show Castle
6. I have gone to a Cleveland Indians game every year since I was 4, except in 1994 since MLB went on strike.  My family had tickets for the week after the strike began.
7. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving
8. I still have the same three best friends since high school 

   

   Amanda

   

   Katie

   

   Nikki

   
   
9. 9 is my lucky number!
10. Despite being (somewhat) athletic and (very) klutzy, I have never broken a bone
11. I will eat just about anything once so I can have a real opinion of it.  Yes, there are things I do not want to know what they are until after I eat them.

Moja's Questions for me

What are you wearing?

Green Notre Dame football shirt, black yoga pants, and my fuzzy pink slippers

What is your dream race to run?

NYC Marathon (fingers crossed for this year!!!)

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

As much as I love NYC and I am really excited for Denver this week, I am going to say New Orleans

What was your last dream about?

No clue...it's pretty rare I remember my dreams

Would you rather be too hot or too cold?

Too cold.  I can keep adding layers and drinking warm beverages until I am comfortable.  

If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever what would it be?

Tough question...but I guess I will go with one of my all time favs...."All You Need is Love" by The Beatles

What was your favorite school subject? (Do not say recess)

big surprise here...science

If you could go back to school would you study the same things or pick a different major?

Yes and no...I do feel my career is finally progressing and making me happy, but I often wonder what it would be like if I went into sports journalism (either writing or broadcasting)

Are you an Apple fan or Android fan?

I have a "love to hate" relationship with my Droid Incredible.  

Any tattoos or piercing? Are they visible?

Just my ears only once.  I am the biggest baby when it comes to needles.  If I ever get over that, I would get 26.2 really tiny somewhere on my foot.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

As much as I love craft beer and wine, I have to go with tequila (chilled Patron with a lime please)

My questions for you

1. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever eaten?
2. What would your last meal be if you had a say in it?
3. What is your all time guilty pleasure food?
4. What are you currently listening to?
5. What is your favorite sport (to play, watch, or both)?
6. One thing you are dying to try (this could be anything)
7. Fill in the blank: Food makes me _________
8. If you could have dinner with just one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
9. What is your "go to" restaurant for taking out of towners?
10. What quote sums up your life right now?
11. What is your favorite holiday?

And GO: Amanda, Joe, Alicia, Katrina, Brad, Crystal, Katie, Heather, Becca, Kimberly, and Sarah.

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

Meatless Mondays

Happy 2012!  I hope you all had a fun and enjoyable New Years filled with friends, family, food, and of course bubbly!  I mentioned in my 27 at 27 post, I am not the biggest New Year's resolution person.  Throughout the year, I am constantly setting goals and making lifestyle changes to become a better person and challenge myself.  However, my latest challenge/healthy lifestyle change just happens to coincide with a new calendar year.  I have decided to do "Meatless Mondays" in 2012.  (side note: while I hate making exceptions to things, I will be attending Dinner in the Dark on Monday January 16.  Therefore, January 17 will be Meatless Tuesday).  I am looking forward to trying new recipes and the potential challenges of dining at some of my favorite restaurants and having limited options.

image source

So I have to ask you, what are your food related New Year's resolutions?  Here's to a healthy, happy, and not so hungry 2012!

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

**I am still raising money for the American Liver Foundation!  Donate here or purchase a cooking class from The Chubby Cook using the code ALF2012 and 40% of the cost of the class will be donated.  THANK YOU for your support**

Merry Christmas!!

From my heart to yours

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

image source

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

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 

6 Lilly Truffles

5 scoops of Honey Hut!!

4 Farmers Markets

3 Michael Symon restaurants

2 Dinner in the Dark tickets

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!

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***

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!

And the winner is...

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend filled with good food, family, friends, and holiday cheer!  I would LOVE to say good football too but yeah, well, no comment.

And the lucky winner of the Dolce Gusto Piccolo is...

 #24 Brad!!  Congrats!  

Thanks to all who entered.  I would also like to thank everyone who has donated so far to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising effort.  I can only achieve one of my two goals on my own, that being running my second marathon.

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