Free Tanning

Kansas City area Celsius Tannery is offering Free tanning this weekend Fen 27 & 28th.  Just print the coupon below!

Kansas City Fat Tuesday Events

Oh how I wish I was in New Orleans this week!  I've been to New Orleans on St Patricks day, and it's one heck of a party, I can only imagine what Fat Tuesday will be like this year... especially after the Saints won the Super Bowl.

But, if you're like me, and stuck in Kansas City for Mardi Gras, I found these few events happening around town.

Pardi Gras Pub Crawl:
With five participating bars (Brooksider, Hooper's, Lew's, Granfalloon, and The Well) the Pardi Gras Pub Crawl won't disappoint on February 16th. For a mere $5 (presale at party venues) you'll have access to all the venues and get a free bus ride to and fro---the fun starts @ 6pm, buses leave every 15 minutes starting @ 7 and last bus departs @ 1:15.

Martini Gras at Martini Corner 2010:
The Martini Corner hosts their own 'Martini Gras' on Saturday, February 13th from 8pm-?.
The four bars of the Martini Corner will celebrate with drink specials all night (think $3 shots and $4 hurricanes) and guarantees a great time.
Visit the Martini Corner website for details.

Beads and the Blues:
The 19th Annual Kansas City Blues Society Pub crawl teams up with Westport this year on February 16th for their Beads and the Blues celebration.
Listen to some serious blues at local jam spots including Kelly's, Blaynet's, Harpos', ONE80, Darkhorse, Firefly, McCoy's and the Foundry.
Visit the Kansas City Blues Society Website for details. http://www.kcbluessociety.com/

Beads, Balconies and Bands at Power and Light:
The KCP&L's will have two Mardi Gras events in 2010. Their Mardi Gras Festival on February 13th, features live music, entertainment and over 30,000 beads thrown. This no cover event will have Mardi Gras specials at participating venues throughout the district, as well as musical guests Pomeroy (on stage at 8pm).
On February 16th, Shark Bar and McFadden's team up to host the KC Live! Balcony Garden Party. $2 specials all night.

Jazz Lousiana Kitchen:
Both locations (39th Street and Legend's at Village West) will celebrate Fat Tuesday the only way they know how with live bands, thousands of beads, and all the Hurricanes, and Rum Runners you can muster. course THE FOOD!

Mardi Ra Party: Ra Sushi, 11638 Ash St. in Leawood, celebrates with Mardi Gras-themed food and drink specials from 9 p.m. to midnight Tuesday. DJ Mike Scott spins from 10 p.m. to close
http://www.rasushi.com/

Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil: Enjoy crawfish flown in from Louisiana and live music from Risky Shift Phenomenon and the MGD’s with the Hearts of Darkness brass section at Crosstown Station, 1522 McGee St. Tickets are $12 and include crawfish, dirty rice, cornbread and a Hurricane. Starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

I was hoping for a parade, but have found nothing...  Grrr...
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Mardi Gras! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

White Silk Raspberry Tart

I was browsing the net looking for a good dessert to fix Danny for Valentines day and I ran across this fabulous looking recipe for White Silk Raspberry Tart. I'm sure mine won't look as good as this one, but I have no doubts it will get eaten up!

Prep Time: 30 min
Total Time: 4 hours 30 min
Makes: 12 servings

20 creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (2 cups)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 package (6 oz) white chocolate baking bars, chopped
2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 package (10 oz) frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh raspberries

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix crushed cookies and butter. Press in bottom and 1 inch up side of ungreased 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in 1-quart heavy saucepan, heat white baking bars and 1/2 cup of the whipping cream over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate is melted. Stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add white chocolate mixture; beat on medium speed until creamy. Set aside.
4. In chilled large bowl, beat remaining 1 1/2 cups whipping cream on high speed until stiff peaks form. Using rubber spatula, fold half of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until blended. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or until set.
5. Place small strainer over 1-quart saucepan. Pour package of raspberries into strainer. With back of spoon, press raspberries through strainer to remove seeds; discard seeds. Stir cornstarch into raspberry puree. Heat to boiling over medium heat. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
6. To serve, spoon fresh raspberries around top edge of tart. Remove side of pan. Cut tart into wedges; place on individual dessert plates. Drizzle raspberry sauce over individual servings.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 420 (Calories from Fat 280); Total Fat 31g (Saturated Fat 18g, Trans Fat 1 1/2g); Cholesterol 75mg; Sodium 220mg; Total Carbohydrate 30g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 22g); Protein 4g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 8%; Iron 6% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 6 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

CorneliaMarie | Crab Fishing Vessel on Deadliest Catch

I will miss Capt Phil Harris of the CorneliaMarie. Over the past few years I have grown addicted to the show The Deadliest Catch. On Tuesday, 2-9-10, Capt Phil Harris passed away due to complications from a stroke. I have copied the statement from http://www.corneliamarie.com/ below.

CorneliaMarie Crab Fishing Vessel on Deadliest Catch: "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. - Jake and Josh Harris
It is with tremendous sadness that I say goodbye to Phil Harris. Phil and I have been business partners and friends for nearly 20 years. We have been through a lot of ups and downs together with the F/V Cornelia Marie. As a skipper, he was a great fisherman. He loved his family and cared for his crew. We will all miss him. - Cornelia Marie Devlin
Statement from Discovery - Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil’s every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil’s sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew."

Product Review - Millstone Hawaiian Blend

Two Thumbs Up!  Oh I love this coffee!  I have been in a coffee mood lately and while my husband and I were at the store, we decided to try a few new blends.  We picked up Millstones Hawaiian Blend Coffee.  I'm typically the plain coffe with a ton of cream and sugar type of girl, but the aroma in the store was so invinting, I had to give it a try.  It has such a great flavor to it!  I didn't notice the "after taste" as much with this coffee as I do with others.  The aroma was eye opening and made the house smell good.   I recommend everyone giving this blend a try!


Hawaiian Blend

This medium-bodied, light roast coffee is a delicate blend with bright, floral notes highlighted with subtle citrus character and smooth (or clean) aftertaste. Only the finest-grade Arabica beans and coffees produced on the Hawaiian Islands are used for this delightful blend.

Colts Chili and Indiana Sugar Cream Pie

And in honor of the Indianapolis Colts, here is a recipe for Colts Chili (Hoosier Chili) and Indiana Sugar Cream Pie. 

Prep Time: 20 Min
Cook Time: 1 Hr 30 Min
Ready In: 1 Hr 50 Min






Ingredients

2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
2 cups chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 (16 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 (46 ounce) can tomato juice
1 (10.5 ounce) can beef broth
1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Directions
1.In a large Dutch oven or soup kettle, brown beef until no longer pink.
2. Add onion, celery, green pepper and garlic.
3. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
4. Add all remaining ingredients except last two; bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, adding macaroni for last half hour of cooking time.
6. Stir in the beans and heat through.

Nutrition Facts: One serving (without additional salt and using sodium-free tomatoes, tomato juice and broth) equals 255 calories, 13 g fat (0 saturated fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 68 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 18 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 meat, 1-1/2 vegetable, 1 starch.
 
 
Indiana Sugar Cream Pie

 
 
 
Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 1 Hr
Ready In: 1 Hr 10 Min
Servings = 6
 
 
Ingredients

1 prepared 8 inch pastry shell
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter, chilled and diced

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (225 degrees C).
2.In a medium bowl, mix together sugar, flour, and cream. Add milk and vanilla extract, and continue to stir until mixture is smooth. Pour into pastry shell. Sprinkle top with nutmeg and dot evenly with small chunks of butter.
3.Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake an additional 45 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 541
Total Fat: 28.6g
Cholesterol: 78mg

Arm & Hammer Coupons

Head on over to Arm & Hammer to print $9.50 worth of great coupons! 
The coupons are:

• $1.00 off Vacuum Bags or Filters
• $1.00 off any two Laundry Detergents or Fabric Sheets
• $1.00 off Cat Litter Deodorizer Spray
• $1.00 off Whitening Booster
• $0.75 off Daily Shower Cleaner (This stuff is Great!)
• $1.00 off Cat Litter
• $0.50 off Carpet and Fabric Odor Eliminator Powder (This works great too!)
• $0.50 off Baking soda or Fridge Fresh
• $1.00 off Toothpaste
• $1.00 off 2 in 1 Dryer Cloths

New Orleans Beignets & Shrimp Creole

In honor of the Saints, A recipe for New Orleans Shrimp Creole and Beignets

Ingredients

8 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 1/2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped,with juice
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
4 drops Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry bacon until crisp, about 6 minutes.
2. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a plate, leaving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in (the best part!) Reduce heat to medium.
3. Add onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic and sauté until tender, about 6 to 7 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, vinegar, mustard, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper.
5. Return bacon to pan.
6. Simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Add wine and shrimp and cook until shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes.

New Orleans Beignets

Prep Time: 30 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Ready In: 3 Hrs
Servings-10





Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shortening
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions
1.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
2.Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
3.Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

Bob's Blog 2/5/10

Just wanted to share Bob's latest blog.  It was full of good information and reading it reminded me of how frustrated I was with only losing one pound... slow and easy wins the race Tonya.

Okay well, we’re one month into 2010 and I know so many of you have made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, get in shape and be the healthiest you can possibly be, and I applaud that so let’s talk about a few things that you can do to get you AND keep you on track. The first thing that you have to remember, and I can’t stress this enough, be careful to not change everything all at once. Slow and steady ultimately wins the race here. I know that you want to get to the finish line fast and drop the weight that you want to drop but this is a lifestyle change not a quick fix so start small and you can always build as you go along.


Start by doing some cardio activity 3 times a week for those of you that have never worked out before for 30 minutes. This is going to get the ball rolling. If you are used to eating a lot of fast food, start cutting out the processed foods and go for more fruits and veggies. Another key thing to remember is to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated helps with weight loss, it’s inexpensive, easily accessible and REALLY GOOD FOR YOU. Personally, I never leave home without my Brita FilterforGood Bottle. You will always see me in the gym with it and you will NEVER see me with a plastic water bottle. It is the little things that you can do to not only help you but to help the environment.

When it comes time to really focus on what you are eating, the main thing you want to do is to eat to lose weight. So many people think that skipping meals is going to help them lose weight…NO WAY!!! When you put yourself in starvation mode, your metabolism is going to slow down (btw, water increases your metabolism, helps build muscle tone and re-energizes you). Your body is going to hold on to every bit of fat you have waiting for you to eat and let me tell you, you are gonna have no resolve because you are so hungry and you will, more times than not, overeat and a lot of times for many people it will be late at night, the worst time to overeat. Choose more sensible meals, eating about every 4 hours. Have your complex carbs in the earlier part of the day to fuel you and keep you going and choose proteins (I’m a big believer in plant based protein) and all the veggies you want.

Remember, starting small is the key and as you continue your weight loss journey, use these simple tips to keep you on track. This is a lifestyle change….NOT A QUICK FIX!!!

And just because he's so cute.. a picture of Bob.

Free On The Border Chips 2/7

Click HERE to get your coupon for a free bag of On The Border Chips!  Valid Sunday, 2/7 only.  Just bring the coupon to your local On The Border and get your free bag.  No purchase necessary!