#Free Pair of tickets: Rockin’ City Rollergirls Homecoming Brawl on 9/22

You’re thinking What the heck does Roller Derby have to do with food? Right?  Me.  That’s what!

I’ve joined the Round Rock Roller Derby League called the Rockin’ City Rollergirls and aspire to be hell on eight wheels.  You know, when I’m not playing with the kids, donating blood, or baking cookies in my undies.  But seriously, derby is a motivation to get my tired aging ass back in reasonable shape.   I want to be able to walk up stairs without huffing and puffing by the fourth stair.  I used to swim every day in college, my muscles have been left to waste away to mush.

Mom, don’t worry, I have safety gear and a mouth guard.  Hmm, that also reminds me… You know why derby is awesome?  There’s no one to tell me “no, you can’t”, like those volleyball teams did all those years ago.  If you want to skate, you skate.  If you quit, that’s you’re own fault!

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for: winning two tickets to the Homecoming Brawl!  This is happening in Round Rock at Austin Sports Arena on Sept 22 at 11:30am.  Kids under 12 are free at the door!  Bonus, right?!?  All you have to do is leave a comment below, and if you’re into derby, tell me your favorite team and/or skater.  Be sure to use your real email address when leaving a comment so I can find you if you win!

Winner takes 2 free tickets, contest closes Sept 15th!

 

Related: Melissa “Melicious” Joulwan’s Paleo Cookbook!

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Giveaway: Finnish Pulla Loaf!

If you are a local Austin reader, this is the contest for you!

Be the 100th fan on Facebook

& win a free loaf of Finnish Pulla Bread!

* Must live in the Round Rock / Austin area to win this giveaway*

Go to http://www.facebook.com/CardamomFinnishCottageBakery and click Like

Good Luck!

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My 1st Year and Win Gluten-Free Goodies!

If you or someone you know suffers with gluten or CD, make them (or you) happy by entering your name in a give away hosted by Jenny at Creative Cooking Gluten-Free.  I’ve been following Jenny for several months now, slobbering over her food.  There are plenty of yummy baked goods on her site using her gluten-free flour mix.  Check out her blog, celebrating its 3rd year by giving away a box of prizes!

Happy Blogiversary Jenny!

Jenny is not the only one celebrating… This week marks the end of the first year of my blog!

I’ve had fun flexing my creative side with this blog.  The best part might be all the food I am able to share with my family and all ya’ll following me on this adventure.  I love to hear from you, even if it’s just a quick “hello”!

Next year I hope to be more prepared and host a give away too.  What sort of stuff do you like to see in give away contests?

Eat well my friends

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Olive & Orange Bruchetta

Here is another recipe I dreamt up to enter into the weekly Food52 contest.  This week it’s all about olives and citrus, I jotted down the first combination that popped in my head, and here it is…

Serves 4

• 1 cup green olives, drained
• 1 orange
• 1 lime
• 1 lemon
• 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• pinch sea salt
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons parsley, minced
• italian bread slices, toasted
• shredded pecorino romano cheese

Finely dice the olives and tomatoes. Place these in a bowl along with the garlic and onion. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and sea salt.   Zest the half the orange, half the lemon and half the lime. Add the juice of the orange to the mixture.

Mince some parsley and mix into the bruchetta. Reserve some for garnish.

Let the bruchetta marinate in the fridge until ready to serve. To serve, top toasted bread slices with some bruchetta, pecorino and parsley.

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Time to play… Iron Chef!

The holidays are fast approaching and I will have a whole week off of work.  This only means one thing: time to play in the kitchen!

I’m looking for a challenge, or a few since I’ll have more time to cook.  What do you want me to cook?  I need a “secret ingredient” or your favorite food.

I’ll be waiting for your input until Christmas, then choose and cook them over the break.  Sounds fun, eh? 

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Food52 Contest: Pumpkin Crepes

Vote for my recipes on food52.com!

Here is today’s entry for the No-Pie Thanksgiving Dessert Contest.

Pumpkin Crepes



1 1/2 tablespoon butter, melted

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon ginger powder

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup cake flour

confectioner’s sugar

1/2 pint whipping cream

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Whisk all of the ingredients together except the flour.

Sift the flour into the wet ingredients, then gently whisk to combine. If the batter seems to thick, add a tablespoon of milk. The crepe batter should be thinner than a pancake mix.

Swirl the hot pan while pouring about a 1/4 cup of batter into the center. The crepe should be very thin and distributed over the flat portion of the bottom of the pan. Cook the first side for 1 minute, or until bubbles form throughout the crepe. gently flip the crepe over and cook for another 30 seconds until the center is set.

Keep the crepes under a clean kitchen towel so they don’t dry out. Whip up some whipping cream with a pinch of confectioner’s sugar, to taste.

Fill the crepes with the whipped cream and top with a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon.

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Food52 Contest: Pot Roast Gravy

Check out Food52 and vote for my Pot Roast Gravy and enter your best gravy!

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