Super Bowl Cupcakes

This is going to be quick post because I wanted to share my excitement for the cupcakes I made for Super Bowl Sunday. As mentioned in a previous post, I have a resolution to be craftier. Striving to be like Martha Stewart, well not exactly like her but you know what I mean. Over the holiday season, I dabbled into a few DIY projects which I will have to share with you eventually because there is a lot to be said for those projects. For now I'll stick to my most recent crafty endeavor.

Super Bowl Sunday I spent around 2-3 hours making Super Bowl Cupcakes. They turned out much better than I expected so I don't want to deny these cupcakes their 15 minutes. Believe you me, I am no cupcake connoisseur like Molly Antos Morey and Liz Letsky but I do love to bake when occasions allow.

We spent Super Bowl 2012 (or is it considered Super Bowl 2011, hmm??) at the Mitchell's. Sarah and Aaron Mitchell are some of our good friends here in Columbia, MO and it's always a good time with these fun peeps. Knowing that Sarah Mitchell is a big chocolate cake fan, I decided to have fun with the decorations and make chocolate Super Bowl cupcakes. I searched for some ideas and came upon cute cupcakes on the Miss Make Blog. The cupcakes turned out much better than I expected. My only gripe would be that the type of frosting I bought proved more difficult than I anticipated, and created thicker lines than I wanted. Baking deco still a work in progress clearly. Quest to be Martha Stewart still very far out ;) but I'm coming for her.

Candy melts found at Michael's, melted,
piped into goal posts and dried on parchment paper.

Chocolate cupcakes with green colored frosting.

 Cupcakes dipped in green sprinkles as the grass, and piped frosting as the yard lines.
Next time I will be determining a better frosting for
the yard lines or different piping method so they aren't so thick.

Finished product! All edible and not too bad for my first run with candy melts and piping!

Happy 30th Birthday Courtney!!!

This post dedicated to one of my closest friends, Courtney (Moustis) Fragoso!

Today is Courtney's 30th birthday and since I can't be there in person to wish her a happy birthday, I wanted to honor this event by dedicating this post to her.

It's not very often that can people can say that they've known someone their entire life but I can. Way back in the day, Courtney's parents and my parents lived next door to each other in what we sometimes refer to as "G-town" or the old hood. Our parents became close friends and soon after we were both born.
Our families have remained close through the years and her family has alway been like a second family to me. I can't count over the years how much our families have shared together from church trips, to vacations, the annual air show in Chicago, high school dances, mourning losses of family members and celebrating weddings. The list doesn't end.

Courtney and I have also shared so much together on our own. Thinking back to middle school and high school and all the fond memories it brings a smile to my face. I remember Courtney getting ready for her first high school dance. I am a year younger so I wasn't in high school yet but I remember coming over to help her get ready at her house on Dover. Courtney wearing that navy dress (if memory serves me right). I recall trying to help her put on fake nails which I don't think worked out. I'm pretty sure she even ripped her panty hose but luckily her mom had an extra pair. It's weird the little things you remember. I think back to our first prom together and how much fun we had - getting ready together, taking pictures in her back yard. I remember Courtney picking me up for school everyday when she was able to drive. She would always bring me a Starbucks Frappucino but would always be waiting on me, because of course in classic Martini style I was running late!! I remember our first drinks together of sour apple pucker; how we used to love Mike's Hard Lemonade (who didn't??); coming to visit Courtney at ISU her freshman year - we won't go there ;) hehe; our movie nights that included a chick flick and Ben & Jerry's from the 7-11 where the cashier would ask us if were going to watch Lion King; Courtney introducing me to my fiance; me persuading Courtney to tell her now husband that she liked him (i'm taking credit for that!!!); Courtney's call to me when she got engaged; Courtney's wedding and getting to stand beside her as one of her MOH's (maid of honor) and how calm she was that day; and now finally Courtney in her first pregnancy and I get to celebrate being an aunt soon - Auntie Andrea that is!!!!

You really can't sum up a friendship as long and as true as ours on paper or in this case a blog. You never know growing up who is going to be by your side as you get older and what friendships will remain but I can proudly say that I know we will be friends forever. We are going to be two old ladies going to Cubs game together talking about the good ole days! I can't wait!

Cheers to one of my best friends, sweetest friends and truest friends!! I wish you all the love and happiness in the world. I love you and miss you! I'll be seeing you! xoxoxo

Going Greek

This week it occurred to me that I'm a wee bit obsessed with Greek yogurt. I've had a love affair with Greek yogurt for quite some time now. I began eating Greek yogurt a few years ago as an alternative to regular yogurt. Other than it's amazing thickness and texture, Greek yogurt typically has more protein than regular yogurt and less carbs. Not to mention it tastes delicious (in my opinion of course).

Over the course of my love affair with Greek yogurt I've tried many different brands including Chobani, Stonyfield, Fage, Dannon and Greek Gods. I'm not a fan of Greek Gods Greek Yogurt as it doesn't have quite the consistency and texture that I've grown to love with Chobani and Stonyfield. In case you are wondering those are my two fav brands. Chobani doesn't add any sugar to their yogurt and Stonyfield is a great organic option. I like Fage too and buy their plain kind on occasion. However, Chobani has the most offerings in terms of flavors. They recently came out with a few new flavors and I love the Apple Cinnamon yogurt. It's A-MAH-ZING!! Some of my other co-workers have now "gone Greek," and I feel the need to pat myself on the back for persuading others to branch out and try new things.

New Apple Cinnamon Flavor (on top)

By far the greatest attribute of Greek yogurt is it's versatility. I've been experimenting with Greek yogurt, substituting it in place wherever possible. Here are some fun recipes that I've found to work really well with Greek yogurt.


Andy's Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad Sandwich


Ingredients:

• tuna or chicken - for lunch I will use 1 can of 5oz. tuna in water
• approx. 2 tbsp. of Chobani Plain 0% Greek Yogurt (more or less to your liking)
• 1 tbsp. low sugar relish (more or less to taste)
• cut up celery
• cut up red or green grapes

Stir your ingredients together and presto you're done!

Eat with low calorie bread and a few tomato slices to make a delish low calorie sandwich. Or put on top of a bed of spinach - add avocado, tomato or other healthy veggies and your have yourself a healthy, yummy salad.



Dre's Healthified Party Ranch Dip

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. Chobani Plain 0% Greek Yogurt 
• 1 -2 Hidden Valley Ranch Dips Packet (add to taste)
• Serve with vegetables or chips

I've made this recipe several times for parties and get-togethers and it's always a hit! It's as delicious if not better than your typical ranch dip with a fraction of the calories and fat.



Dip I brought for the ladies at work to snack on.

These are only two of the several recipes made with Greek yogurt. Post more recipes in weeks to come.

So I lied...

So I lied! Yeah, yeah, I said was going to rededicate myself to blogging but the second half of 2011 posed to be much busier than I anticipated. Between taking a few classes, work, wedding planning and LOTS of traveling it seems that I haven't had much time for anything else.

Happy New Year by the way! Although very cliche, I've made couple resolutions this year...

1. Blog more - No promises though!
2. Tone up for the wedding and maybe shed just a few pounds ;)
3. Learn to crochet and/or knit. Something I've been wanting to do for awhile. In general I just want to be a bit craftier. From what I've gathered so far this is quite time consuming but also fun.
4. Eat a little healthier and get familiar with my new juicer!!

It's 2012 and our wedding is about 10 months away!!! Ahhh!!!!!! Kris and I are getting married in the Chicago area in November. Wedding planning thus far has been lots of fun. Molly and I took a wedding planning class awhile back so I feel very equipped and excited to finally be planning my own! I look forward to all the events to come this year and hopefully seeing all my family and close friends on our big day!

You might be wondering how we are adjusting to our move to Columbia. Well, moving to Columbia has been fun, exciting and a learning experience for me. I've never really been "out of my element" before and I was truly interested to see how I would fair in a different place. Growing up and going to college in the Chicagoland area my entire life hasn't exactly exposed me to having to live far away from my family and friends. Although it is very difficult moving away from family and friends, I have to say that I don't regret moving at all. Kris and I have established a really great group of friends down here and Columbia surprisingly has lots to offer. I've always been a believer that situation is what you make it of it. Of course, I have my days where I miss my family and friends and miss being able to just hop in the car and drive over to see them. On the other hand, we have really made some great friendships down here and it's a home that Kris and I will always share. I'm sure that will be plenty ore about Columbia in posts to come...

The Proposal!!!!

As follow up to my last post...topping off an already exciting month in April, on Easter day Kris proposed to me! Kris and I had actually just celebrated our 5 year anniversary a few days earlier. We had been talking about getting married for some time and I forewarned Kris that since we had been dating for awhile that I didn't think he could really surprise me. Well I guess he accepted that challenge and won because I was more than surprised when he did propose.

We were at our apartment in Schaumburg getting ready to meet my parents for Easter mass. I was as usually running behind and focused on figuring out what to wear, fixing my hair and make-up...you know, the usual. Meanwhile, I didn't notice Kris pacing the floors. Kris told me that the Easter bunny had brought me a present. He gave me this cute box that he had made and I opened it up to find an Easter egg inside. At first, I thought could it be? But then I shook the egg to hear what could be in it but it sounded like two earrings rattling around. It turned out that it was a pair of diamond earrings. I was really excited about the present and put them on immediately. Then I went about getting ready again.

Getting this gift definitely threw off any thought of us getting engaged on the same day. Well I was wrong about that. A few minutes later Kris said that the Easter bunny had brought me another present. I thought to myself, this must be like a chocolate bunny or some sort of candy. As I went into the hallway to see what it was, I was completely shocked as Kris opened up a small box and got down on his knee. As I realized what was happening, I started balling and I can't tell you what Kris said to me! I was just so overwhelmed and surprised! I believe I just held out my hand, shaking my head yes.

We both called our parents after it happened. My parents and Kris' parents were of course thrilled! Kris had actually asked my father in December and told my mom a few days prior to the proposal. Good thing because less than 24 hrs later she was already telling people! She's not very good at keeping secrets. Not that I blame her, because I wanted to post it on Facebook immediately but had to wait till we could tell our families first!

With all that being said, I'm super excited to be engaged. I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. He is the love of my life and one of the most giving people I've ever met. We are planning a fall 2012 wedding and I can't wait to dive into all the details once we finalize a venue and church.

End to the blogging hiatus!

After a long hiatus from blogging, I have decided to rededicate myself to blogging. Since writing my last blog, I've worked at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, ran my first 5 mile race, got engaged, and resigned at CTCA due to our recent move to Columbia, MO.

We moved to Columbia about three weeks ago as Kris was accepted into Mizzou's DPT (doctorate of physical therapy) program. I'm so proud of him and all his accomplishments. I know he is going to make a great PT one day!

To back track a little bit on some pretty exciting events...in March, I ran my first 5 mile race at the St. Patrick's Day Race in St. Louis. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed running it. I trained a little bit prior to the run but I hadn't actually ran 5 miles since before Thanksgiving.It was really exhilarating and the weather was perfect. It was about 60 degrees and I had a great running partner, Cathy Morgan. The starting line was right next to Busch Stadium, Home of the St. Louis Cardinals...yes I was in enemy territory but no less sporting my cubs hat like a true cubs fan!

Starting Line

Cathy and Andrea Pre-Race

Andrea and Kris Post-Race

The race was of course followed by some STL bar hopping.

April followed with some pretty exciting events...one being my 28th b'day which was spent with friends in downtown Chi. The day began with running the 5K Race to Wrigley with Kris, Molly, Dan, Cathy and Brandon. Cathy and Brandon made the trek up from STL and it was great to celebrate my b'day with them. My bestie, Molly, made some fine b'day running shorts for me. Awesome!

The race was followed by a wonderful breakfast at my brother Nick and his girlfriend Kate's place. They live about a mile north of Wrigley and made an awesome breakfast for us!

The rest of the day was followed by seeing more friends including Kristin, Ryan, Courtney, Mike, Brittney, Kirk, Kat, Brian, some drinking games and hitting up some bars downtown.

Molly, Andrea, Cathy and Kristin

Kristin and Ryan

Adventures in the Snow!

What better way to spend a snow day then in the snow? I was a little hesitant seeing as I don't really have the proper snow gear but Kris loves adventures, outdoors and playing in the snow! So I made due with what I had on hand. We decided to make this our workout for the day since we didn't want to chance driving to the gym. 

We begin our journey here...

and the snow is a little deeper than Kris anticipated!

Eh oh well! Onward we go!

Roselle Rd., kind of like ghost town around here, very few cars on the road

Not too deep here but definitely cold out!

I decided to take the lead and show Kris how it's done.

Navigating through the snow is tricky business!

Testing the snow to determine if it's sturdy or not.

Like I said tricky business this snow navigating...

Next we made it to the park for some playground fun...

Don't fall! It was quite slippery on that playground!

That's actually the playground chairs!

It's been awhile since I've been down a playground slide!

King of the Picnic Table??

Ok so we've determined that Kris really loves climbing to the top of things!

King of the Hill! Yes we know!

Golf Road was our trek back and man was that really the workout portion of the adventure.

All in all, we had a really fun time in the snow. There were some snow fights along the way and lots of fun to be had. We were gone for over an hour and my legs are letting me know. What's great about snow is that when you have a snowfall like we did it makes for a really great leg workout. Sledding tomorrow?? We think so!