It's Tailgate Time!

Hike!

Are you ready for some football!? With the start of the college and NFL football seasons these last two weekends, all my summer sun lounging outside days have devolved into "what time is kickoff?/where is the game on?" love affairs with my television. Tis the season!! Here to make sure your tailgate snacks are as game ready as your team (hopefully!) are some new game day recipes to take for a whirl. Game on!

THIS recipe claims that quesadilla glory is just 10 minutes away. Black beans and corn, salsa and seasoning, this is a game time or tailgate snack anyone can manage to pull off and it's sure to be a hit! (Pin it HERE)

While we're hitting the mexican-theme munchies, HERE's another "put it in a bite size cup" recipe for Mini Mexican Pizzas. An easy to follow recipe with just a few ingredients, you can do all the prep in advance and then pop these into the oven just before halftime for a mid-game treat! (Pin it HERE).

Has there ever been a more unexpected match made in culinary food heaven!? Avocados wrapped in bacon - easy, healthy(ish!?), bacon-y and delicious all at once. Check out the simple recipe (via Necessary Clothing of all places!) HERE (Pin it HERE)

So that pizza bread right there? How delicious does that look!? The full recipe for make-your-own-dough is right HERE or if you're like me and love the idea but hate the mess/effort/time involved, pop over to your favorite pizza shop and ask if they will sell you a pizza's worth of dough (many will!) Then follow the recipe from there. 

And of course there will be times when your team draws the early game and breakfast eats are called for, which is why there is THIS Breakfast Casserole w egg whites, bacon, spinach and smoked gouda recipe. It's time to up your kegs and eggs game my friends. (Pin it HERE)

Click HERE for a really easy and cute tutorial on turning your table into a football field!

* For all of Seek to be Merry's past football foodie posts, click HERE *

Strange (Healthy) Snacks.

Mmm...

Recently I confessed to Dr. H that I love pork rinds. Specifically BBQ seasoned pork rinds (available for 99 cents per bag and the perfect solution for your late afternoon "I want something crunchy, crappy and snacky" right nows). I know, I know, you are probably cringing "pork rinds!?!"... allow me to stand in defense of these cripsy delights: 

1) a 1-ounce serving of pork rinds contains 0 carbs, 17 grams of protein and just 9 grams of fat. To compare, that's 9 times the protein and way less fat than your average carb-laden snack size bag of potato chips (source)

2) 43% of pork rind's fat is unsaturated and most of that is oleic acid which is the "healthy fat" people praise olive oil for!

3) BBQ seasoned pork rinds taste delicious! They are far less greasy than chips and have an airy quality that doesn't sit guilt-ily in your stomach after eating

So sure, judge me all you want for the pig skins, but as far as snack choices go, pork rinds definitely should have your consideration!! As for other "strange snacks" I enjoy:

- beef jerky: again, super high in protein (which keeps you satisfied longer!), no fat, few carbs and tons of flavor. Plus, it's sold in 100 calorie packs!!

- wasabi soy almonds: protein and flavor... a bit higher in fat, but like pork rinds it's the healthier kind of fat (which FYI my body loves all fat equally, (right on my hips) so I try to snack on these a little more discerningly)

- hard boiled eggs: are you sensing a low carb/high protein theme here?

- pickles: like eating flavored air

What about you? Do you have any strange, but healthy snacks that you're willing to share in the light of day?

Feeling SUPER!

These will never ever stop blowing my mind.

Hooray for Friday!!! This morning, while working on besting my "hit the snooze" personal record, I remembered that Sunday is the Super Bowl and I was like "yay! finger foods!" and then I promptly fell back asleep. Thankfully(?) I am fully awake now, and I am ready to share some goodness of the Super Bowl variety. First, please tell me you've seen this non-Super Bowl, Super Bowl commercial:

Anna Kendrick you are the shizz (and well done Newcastle)

Next, let's talk about food. Food, Glorious Food! 

(hey just because I love football doesn't mean I can't also make musical theater references!)

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - YES PLEASE!

Pin it HERE, Full recipe HERE.

One Pot (you know I love these) Cheeseburger Casserole.

Pin it HERE, Full recipe HERE.

* If "ultra-classy, sporty chic" is your Super Bowl style, than click HERE for perfect party tips*

* Here's some insider info about the commercials you'll be seeing * 

Want to watch something adorable, get teary-eyed and remember what sports is really all about!? 

(Hint: Entertainment and joy for fans of all ages.)

These football-inspired "treat cones" are super easy to make and adorable to snack from!

Pin it HERE, Full instructions HERE.

It doesn't get any easier to be sporty than this!! Take your guac, place it in a rectangular serving dish and use sour cream in a zip lock bag (with the corner snipped off) to draw your football field!) 

Click HERE for other football shaped inspiration.

Hump Day Distractions

Smile! It's already almost Friday!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And maybe more importantly, happy "you only have to survive 3 days this week!" Isn't that fabulous? All I can say is, thank goodness we get to ease back into reality because though I'm feeling fresh and energized after nearly two weeks of vacation/staycation-ing (last week's 2-day work week barely disrupted my flow) coming back to a routine is going to take some effort. Here are a few delightful distractions to help you get back to it.

* This news is still boggling my mind. Boggling.

* Always looking for ways to make life easier (the pizza idea is brilliant and oh so very "duh" inducing)

* A way to turn all your Instagrams into a tangible collection of photos from your life.

* I admit I am intrigued...

* Because 90% of us will attempt to eat healthier for at least another 48 hours.

* "Co-workers were complaining about your flatulence"