Casino Night and new Goat Cheese Log Recipe

Last night we had 25-30 people over for a game night.  In what is now becoming my trademark move, I did not take any photos.  It's unfortunate too, since I did an awesome job decorating (if I do say so myself)!

**Any readers out there who have pictures, please send them to me!**

I made my standards - crock pot meatballs, empanadas, bean dip, sugar cookies
And some new additions - Oreo balls, Chipotle Rosemary Nuts
And my last minute discoveries

• Goat Cheese with honey and walnuts (Just drizzle some honey over a log of goat cheese and sprinkle with crushed walnuts)
• Mad Money Punch - Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Vodka, Squeeze of Lime - went through 2 batches, probably would have gone through most of a third if I had enough ingredients to make another.

Of course guests brought some great additions too - lots of booze, quacamole, etc.

Hot games of the night:
- Taboo (which somehow morphed into a very strange, but entertaining, version of charades)
- Uno - who knew adults could play this for hours on end?
- Jenga
- Black Jack
- Texas Hold 'em

We'll definitely be doing this again!!

The things we do for beauty!

B and I are going on a little trip soon...I'll share details later.
In preparation, I decided to try something new - a bikini wax.


A coworker of mine recommended European Wax Center a few months ago.  At the time, the only one in Westchester was in Yonkers.  Sorry to any Yonkers residents who might be reading this, but it's not my favorite place to go, I get lost all the time.  However, they had announced that a new location would be opening in January in Rye Brook - this sounded promising.

So, I signed up for advanced notice of the opening, specials etc.  They ran a deal for free services in the days just prior to their opening to finalize the training of the staff (more the front desk people, not so much the waxers) so I made an appointment for my bikini wax for this afternoon.

I won't lie, I was really nervous.  I left WAY early, which was good because I had a bit of hard time finding the place.  Once I get there everyone was super nice and helpful. 
The place was clean and pleasant.
I only waited maybe 5 minutes before my waxer came to get me.  She was really professional and friendly and did a good job distracting me and not making me feel awkward.
Honestly, it really wasn't that bad.  It didn't feel good, but I didn't feel the need to yell or swear or whatever. 

I bought a packaged visit deal (buy 9, get 3 free) and made another appointment for 3 weeks.  I might have her do a little more next time. 

So, If you're considering doing this or looking for a new place, check them out - ask for Norah, and let them know I referred you (I get $5 off for referrals!).

Avocado, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Sandwich

I had some goat cheese left over after last week's challenge, so I searched pinterest for some ways to use it.  I already had all the ingredients for this one so thought I'd try it for breakfast...

Avocado, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Sandwich

 Avocado Strawberry + Goat Cheese Sandwich [cold]

• 2 slices of bread (I used Arnold Sandwich Thins. a whole wheat wrap would also work)
• 1 avocado (I only used about 1/4)
• 4 medium strawberries, thinly sliced
• 2-4T goat’s milk mozzarella, crumbled (I used goat cheese from a log)
• 1t lemon juice (optional)
• 1/8t salt
• black pepper + sea salt to top

1. Toast the bread and place on a cooling rack [avoids sogginess] to stay crisp but not hot. 
2. Mash the avocado with a fork and then mash in the lemon juice + salt.
3. Add as much avocado to the toast as desired and add 1 layer of thinly sliced strawberries.
4. Top with salt, pepper, and about 1T crumbled goat cheese per slice.

Lookit what I did with the pictures, too...fun!

No Seasoning Packet Turkey Tacos - Part 1

In an attempt to continue the clean eating pattern, I decided to try to make one of our staple foods (tacos) in a healthier, less processed ways.  This recipe was good, we'll eat it all, but next time I'll try something different.  This one's maybe a 5 out of 10, not a keeper.

Healthier Turkey Tacos

	1 1/4 lbslean ground turkey
	1 tspolive oil/chicken broth
	1 Tgarlic powder
	1 TChili Powder
	1 MedRed Onion, chopped
	1 TPaprika
	1 CanTomato sauce; low sodium, no sugar added
	Lettuce
	1 Tomato
	1 Onion
	Shredded Cheese
	Avocado; or guac
	taco shells or whole wheat tortillas

Cook your meat in a non-stick pan using olive oil, or, if you really want to do away with the fat, use a bit of chicken broth.
Stir in the spices, red onion, and tomato sauce.
Prepare the rest of the ingredients for toppings.
Stuff your shells and serve!

Oreo Cookie Balls

I swear I'm not totally off the clean eating track already!  We're having a party this weekend (which I'm sure will inspire many, many posts) and this is one of the treats I'm making (along with the chipotle nuts).

I got this recipe from my sister in law.  I'm not sure where she got it but I'm guessing from someone on Pinterest.

No Bake Oreo Cookie Balls

1 package Oreos
8oz package of cream cheese
1 package white bakers chocolate

Crush Oreos into small pieces (I place in freezer bag and smash with smooth side of meat tenderizer, you can also use a mallet or rolling pin, etc).
Using hands, mix Oreo crumbs with cream cheese until well combined
Form into 1 inch balls and place on lined baking sheet.  Place in refrigerator (overnight is best).

Melt chocolate per direction on bag.  Roll Oreo balls into chocolate, place back in fridge until hard.  Store in fridge or freezer.
didn't
mmmmm...

Our first attempt at melting the chocolate didn't go well, pretty sure we burned it.  We're blaming our our microwave, which is from circa 1990.  I tried again today, using a make-shift double boiler, much better results!

Clean Eating Reflections

I'm really glad I did the Clean Eating challenge.  I wasn't perfect, but overall ate much better than I usually do (and lost a couple lbs!). 

I found some recipes and ingredients that I like enough to add to my regular meal rotation, once I have one.  I confirmed some I don't like too, which is fine.  I think it's important to keep trying things, you never know.  I eat a lot of things now that I would have said "NO WAY" to a couple of years ago.

I definitely overhauled the amount of food I expect to eat at each meal.  A lot of these meals I just really didn't think would be enough food, but I survived and wasn't even starving most of the time!

I do have a lot more energy...who would have thought that claim was actually true??

I'm inspired to continue on this path as best I can.  Obviously I'll have splurge days (like yesterday at my niece's party) but hopefully I can better control my splurges.

Overall, this was a very positive experience!

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

This is not from my clean eating challenge, though other than the brown sugar, I think they can kind of qualify.
A coworker brought these into the office and once I tasted them I just had to try to make them myself!

They're really easy to make and so tasty!  They've got a pretty good kick, hopefully enough to keep me from eating them by the pound.
Perfect treat for a party.

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• 3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews (14 ounces)
• 2 cups whole walnut halves (7 ounces)
• 2 cups whole pecan halves (7 ounces)
• 1/2 cup whole almonds (3 ounces)
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves, divided
• Kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Brush a sheet pan generously with vegetable oil. Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and chipotle powder on the sheet pan. Toss to coat the nuts evenly. Add 2 tablespoons of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.
Spread the nuts in one layer. Roast the nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula, until the nuts are glazed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.
Toss well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight containers at room temperature.