Tag Archives: beer

Mummy’s Freaky Treats and Giveaway

Posted on by Run DMT
14

Besides costumes and mountains of candy, some stores also stock their shelves with some interesting spirits for Halloween.  In our area, Total Wine has the best selection of seasonal ales.  With so many to choose from, I decided to give Shmaltz Brewing Company’s Coney Island Craft Lager Freakotober a taste test only because I liked its freaky look and name and its concept.  A portion of the proceeds of this ale is donated to the restoration and preservation of Coney Island, which made me feel better just knowing that my alcoholism was supporting a good cause.

As stated on the label, the ale has a red hue.  I think the label and the color was the only think I liked about the beer.  It was far too bitter for my taste buds.  Iron Chef Allan liked the flavor, but decided against drinking it because of the food coloring.  Like a good little freak sport, I finished off the beer.

Last Saturday, we attended our annual adult Halloween party.  For my dish to share, I made Mummy Pizzas, which I found at Family Fun.  The recipe suggest using English muffins, but since my kids don’t like English muffin pizzas, I used mini loaves of bread.  (Mini bagels would be a nice alternative too or even Iron Chef Allan’s superb pizza crust cut into tiny pizzas with a small circular cookie cutter.) I cut the loaves into ½ inch slices and toasted them in the oven before I added my simple sauce, thinly sliced mozzarella cheese and two slices of olives for the eyes.

Mmmmmmmm….Mummies good.
 

 
Mummy Pizzas (adapted from Disney’s Family Fun)

Ingredients

English muffins (or mini bagels or bread loaves sliced into ½ inch slices)

Pizza sauce

Sliced black olives

Mozzarella cheese (or pull-apart string cheese if kids help assemble pizzas)

 

Directions

Heat the oven to 350º F. Split and toast English muffins on a cookie sheet for 3-5 minutes.

For each mummy, spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto half of an English muffin.  Set two olive slices in place for eyes .

Slice mozzarella into thin, long strips of cheese and lay across the muffin for the mummy’s wrappings.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the muffin is toasty.

 

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Before you link up and leave, I would like to announce that today marks Friday Food Fight’s One Year Anniversary!  Can you believe that?!  That’s 52 yummy dishes shared here at Run DMT and 156 shared between Karen, Kirsten and me.  Not counting all the wonderful foods our visitors have flung at us this past year!  WOW!

To celebrate a year of flinging foods and to thank you for supporting Friday Food Fight, we’ve put together a giveaway.  One lucky reader will win a copy of the Joy of Cooking (Iron Chef Allan’s and my favorite  cookbook).

 Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006

Everyone that adds a link to our Friday Food Fight linky collection blog hop will automatically be entered.  Add more links and you’ll earn more entries.

One winner will be chosen at random and that winner will be announced next Friday, November 4.  Only U.S. residents are eligible to win.  Our Friday Food Fight Cookbook Contest ends Thursday, November 3 at midnight eastern time. 

For more entries:

  • Add a comment below about the Freaktoberfest beer, my Mummy Pizzas or the cookbook, Joy of Cooking.
  • Blog about our Friday Food Fight Cookbook Contest and link back to Run DMT.  Remember to add our Friday Food Fight button to your post, please.
  • Follow denisermt, ificouldescape and cheekymonkey8 on Twitter.  Becoming a follower is an additional entry for each, so be sure to add a new comment for each new add.
  • Earn an additional entry each time you tweet:  #FridayFoodFight is throwing the book at you!  Link up a foodie photo for a chance to win Joy of Cooking. Ends 11/3 http://wp.me/pigkS-3cY
  • Like Run DMT, Gone Bananas and If I Could Escape on Facebook.  Each “like” is an additional entry, so be sure to add a new comment for each “like”.

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Now link up to win and to see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are flinging for this week’s Friday Food Fight.



*Also submitted at*

Fat Camp Friday Button

Savoring Sanibel

Posted on by Run DMT
13

Undoubtedly, Sanibel and Captiva are world-famous for some of the best shelling and beautiful beaches.  But for my family and me, the islands are also known for some of the best eats in the Sunshine State.

Next to the shells and sunsets in Captiva, I dream about R.C. Otter’s Crunchy Grouper Rueben.  Seriously, it’s what keeps bringing me back year after year.  Plus, R.C. Otter has some of the best selection of beer on draft.  Try pairing the Crunchy Grouper Rueben with a pint of Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Ale or a Toasted Oatmeal Stout.


Since The Island Cow was featured in Southern Living magazine, the secret is out about this tasty little pasture in Sanibel.  Although The Island Cow offers an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, stick with the specials, like the Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos.  This dish would rival Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp as it packs a bit more punch and crunch.   Then, cool your palette with a Strawberry Orange Mimosa or a 23 oz Landshark with a wedge of lime.

During this trip, we visited a few new-to-us places and loved them so much, we went back for second helpings.  The Over Easy Café served fluffy and fresh tasting omelets.  Much like the name suggests, the Mellow Portobello Omelet left me pleasantly full.

We also smacked our lips over two superb meals at Cip’s Place, but it was the impeccable service with a smile that made a marvelous meal even better.  Our server, Regina, recommended the root beer infused BBQ Rib Plate, but Allan didn’t want to eat a whole rack of ribs.  So, the chef happily accommodated by offering a smaller portion.  However, one taste of that root beer reduction and Allan wished he had ordered a full serving.

Despite Regina’s suggestion, I ordered the Grouper BLT.  A perfectly pan seared fish topped with avocado mayo and thick apple wood bacon on ciabatta roll was a wonderful and welcomed break from all the deep fried food I had eaten during our stay on Sanibel.  I topped my sandwich with Cip’s homemade cole slaw, which finished off the sandwich superbly.

For our last meal on the island, we returned to Cip’s Place and selected the Steak Chimichurri, which proved to be the right choice.  Served to perfection, the Argentinean herb rub and Dijon garlic potatoes complimented the cut beautifully.

I only wish I had remembered to snap photos of our last Sanibel supper not only to share for Friday Food Fight but because the creative juices have been flowing for Iron Chef Allan and I on how to replicate the dish.  If we can’t, we’ll have to find our way back to Sanibel soon.

I’d be o.k. with that.

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Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.




*Also submitted at*

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I am a Food RENEGADE!

2011 Oldsmar Tap House 5K

Posted on by Run DMT
4

Alternative Title: Will Run for Brew, Part Two

I remembered the Tap House Run being a much hotter event.  Don’t get me wrong.  It was hot, but not as humid as it was the first year when I last ran the 5K event.  I also remembered despite the heat really enjoying the course through downtown Oldsmar and its beautiful view along the bay.

This year, Jackie anticipated winning Das Boot, so she pushed her way through the crowd to the front of the pack.  The rest of us found a start position way in the back.  Much like the start line, we would admire Das Boot from a distance.

I started the race running alongside of Mike, Chrissy, Bob, Angie and Faith, but found my pace and a path through the crowd to move ahead.

Just after I passed mile 1, I spotted the fastest runners already heading to the finish line.  I began counting them to see if Jackie would make the top 50 for Das Boot.  Sure enough, there she was somewhere around number 30.  She was booking it for Das Boot!

Although I ran another 5K race in the evening a month prior to this race, I still wondered how I would perform in the evening especially since the weather would be a bit warmer.  This race was hot, but not that hot.  Honestly, it was pretty bearable and the Gulf breeze blowing in from the bay was a welcomed relief during the run.  However, I think some of my late morning training runs and the occasional evening run prepared my body for the heat.

But also to prepare for this race, I drank water throughout the day to help my body combat the heat.  I believe staying hydrated all day is what saved me from heat exhaustion and any cramping during the race.  I also carb loaded with a bagel and peanut butter for breakfast and a bowl of pasta for lunch, so I wasn’t hungry before or during the race.  I seemed to find the perfect amount of fuel to keep me going.

And keep going I did snapping photos along the way and only stopping to walk while rehydrating at the water station. I dumped water on myself as well as downing cups of cold water.

3.16 miles
Garmin Time 30:21
Ave Pace 9:37
Max Pace 7:11

Overall, it was a fun little 5K, but the street party afterwards was a blast with lots of sudsy Sierra Nevada Pale Ale flowing and tons of yummy food, like tacos from Tijuana Flats and Italian ice from Rita’s.  The whole event was a great time from start to finish and then start to finish again, but having my hubby and our friends there to support each other made a fun evening even better.

I’ll drink to that!

Juneathon 2011, Day 2

Posted on by Run DMT
1

PhotobucketNext Friday evening, my friends and I will be running in the Oldsmar Tap House 5K.  I don’t usually run in the evening, but I am making an exception for this race because beer will be served after we cross the finish line.  I will run in the evening for beer!

 

However an evening beer run requires training and therefore this evening, I decided to join the Suncoast Running crowd for a 3 mile Thirstday evening run and I dragged my friend, Faith, along for the ride.  After all, I’ve been having such great success with group runs and shaving minutes off my time, it only seemed like the right thing to do to keep improving my times.  And of course, the beer had nothing to do with it.

 

But this evening, running with a group with the promise of ice cold beer at the end didn’t bring the same success of shaving minutes off my time.  Oh well.

3.1 Miles

Time 36:30

Ave Pace 11:47

Max Pace 8:49

Pint at The Pub

Posted on by Run DMT
8

After picking up my Iron Girl race packet at Fit2Run at International Plaza, I stopped by The Pub for a pint.  I was pretty bummed that my race shirt was too small, so I drowned my sorrows in a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter or two.  I gave my race shirt to my 9 year old and I quickly got over it.

 

 

Unknown MamiSweet Shot Day

Random Thoughts about Surgery, Starbucks and Spring Break

Posted on by Run DMT
6

I drafted this post while sitting in the waiting room if the surgery center.  After weeks of suffering, Hubby finally went to the doctor and learned his gall bladder no longer functioned.  After an ultrasound to confirm his diagnosis, the doctor informed Allan that he needed immediate surgery to remove it.  Now he’s gall bladder free and feeling happy on painkillers and I’m feeling like a Starbucks for some liquid energy.  Would it be wrong to leave my husband for a latte?

 

Speaking of caffeine, I think I’ve been drinking too many caffeinated drinks during the day because my sleeping pattern has been a disaster lately.  For the past week, I have been waking up around 3:00 a.m. and I’m unable to go back to sleep.  By 7:00 p.m., I’m exhausted and ready for bed.  I am probably the only person grateful for the recent DSL time change so at least I am ready for bed at 8:00 p.m. now instead of 7:00 p.m.

 

The girls have off for Spring Break this week and Allan is off from work to recover from his surgery.  We don’t have anything planned for the week other than building bigger and better leprechaun traps.

 

I didn’t weigh myself this past weekend so I don’t know if I lost any weight.  With the half marathon on Saturday morning and a beer binge goodbye party that night, I didn’t want to cry the scale to yell at me.  Honestly, I am not so concerned with the numbers on a scale any more, but more concerned with toning and building muscle because these bingo arms have got to go!  It would be nice if they didn’t wave hello before I actually greeted someone.   But besides ridding myself of bingo arms, being able to wear a bikini again is my ultimate goal.

 

I am so glad I decided NOT to run the Florida Beach Halfathon because my legs were so sore during the Pasco Challenge half marathon.  (I’ll blog more about that race in other post.)  Yeah, three half marathons in three months is plenty and I’ll tell anyone who disagrees to “Shut the Front Door!”

 

My legs were hurting pretty badly on Sunday, but thankfully they feel fine today.  I think I’m ready for an easy 3 miles tomorrow morning.

 

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

randomtuesday

 

 

Cheers! I’ll Drink to That!

Posted on by Run DMT
8
Our good friends Julie and Jason decided to move back to Tennessee and we all went to the World of Beer to say our farewells over a few pints.   

 

You would expect a farewell fanfare to bring on many tears, but quite the opposite was true.  We laughed more than ever.   Our faces hurt from all the laughing and smiling and it was a great way to say goodbye to some fabulous friends.  The five years in Florida definitely ended on a high note.

 

 

 

 

 

But the celebrating and the beer flowing doesn’t end just yet, thanks to St. Patrick’s Day.  I am looking forward to another fun night with my friends this week.  And if my liver allows me, I’ll drink a whiskey drink. I’ll drink a vodka drink. I’ll drink a lager drink. I’ll drink a cider drink.

 

And then, I’ll erin go barf.

 

 

So, here’s to great friends, getting into the St. Patrick’s spirit and preparing our livers for all the festivities!

 

Cheers to being Irish for a day!

 

 

Who’s ready to get your drink on for St. Patrick’s Day?

 

 

Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

 

 

Random Thoughts about Races and 40 Miles

Posted on by Run DMT
5

One night while we were hanging out with our friends John and Erika, I mentioned that I would be running 3 half marathons before my 40th birthday.   John was quick to point out that the three do not quite equal 40 miles (39.3 to be exact).  I thought it was close enough, but I also took John’s words as a challenge to squeeze in another half marathon.

 

I had already planned to run the Pasco Challenge Half Marathon on March 12, Iron Girl Half Marathon on April 10, but now thanks to John’s prodding, I may also add the Florida Beach Halfathon on March 20.  I haven’t decided about the Florida Beach Halfathon because 1) It’s $70, 2) It’s in Fort Desoto which is quite a drive from here and I don’t know anyone else running the race to carpool with and 3) I don’t want to injure myself by running several half marathons in such a short amount of time.  The Pasco Challenge and the Florida Beach Halfathon are a week apart.

 

Later this year, I would like to run another marathon, like the Space Coast Marathon, but I also applied for the New York City Marathon lottery.  If I get selected to run the NYC Marathon, then I won’t do the Space Coast Marathon.  My confirmation email stated that the race organizers would be making their selections mid-March.  Not much longer now! To amuse myself while I wait, I’ve been singing lines from A Chorus Line.

 

God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many people does NYC need? 
How many people does NYC need?
God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many boys, how many girls? 
How many boys, how many…?

 

You get the idea.

 

When I train for races, I take it all very serious.  I cut back on all the drinking and junk food, because I worry about dehydration and shitting myself loose bowels during a race.  With having a baby, it takes a toll on your body and things just aren’t the same in the lower end department if your know what I mean, so my fear of loose bowels is quite possible.

 

But more importantly, with being pregnant and having a baby, it had been a while since I was serious about training and I guess my girlfriends forgot how disciplined I become when I’m training.  A few times when we were all hanging out, I hadn’t been binge drinking with the rest of them and they all thought I was pregnant!  BITE YOUR TONGUE! Not that I wouldn’t love another child, but that would really put a damper on all my plans to celebrate turning 40 this summer.  I’d like to do so without a hiccup, unless it’s an alcohol induced hiccup.

 

Speaking of hiccups, my friends and I celebrated our Gasparilla race achievements by throwing back a few beers at our local watering hole. I completed the Gasparilla Half Marathon at my goal of 2 hours, 30 minutes and burned 1, 349 calories in the process.  I definitely earned my beer!  (You can read more about the race and look at pretty pictures here.)

 

 

And on the topic of calories, I lost another pound last week which is a total of 21 pounds since January 1!  After burning over 1300 calories on Sunday, I can’t wait to see what I lost this week.  I hope I didn’t undo it all with the beer I put away.

 

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

randomtuesday

Serving Skunky Beer and Sea Dog Bluepaw

Posted on by Run DMT
4

PhotobucketYou know, you really do learn something new every day.  Yesterday, I learned that beer can become skunky.  With as much beer as I like to drink, I had never heard this term before to describe a beer that goes bad.

 

Although Mic Ultra beer always tastes flavorless and shitty awful to me, I had to take Kelly‘s word for it when she said her beer tasted skunky.

 

Skunky or not, American beer is hard to come by in the UK, so for this week’s Friday Food Fight, I’m serving skunky suds and my favorite beer, Sea Dog Blue Paw, a blueberry wheat ale.

 

 

 

Now, link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.

 

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Picking Up the Pace

Posted on by Run DMT
4

After flaking on my 6 mile run on Saturday due to rain, I made up for it on Sunday.  A panic sudden realization about the fast approaching races on the horizon seemed to be exactly what I needed to kick my badunkadunk into gear.  I set a goal for Sunday to finish under an hour and made my goal. :-)

6 miles

Time 1:00

Ave Pace 10:00

 

Also feeling a little unprepared for the races, Tiffany and I met this morning to run 3 miles.  Since we’re trying to improve our pace, we tried to run a little faster.  I’m really proud of our results.  We are slowly improving. 

3 miles

Time 29:50

Ave Pace 9:37

 

Tomorrow, Tiffany and I are planning to work on sprints.  Our BFF Hal recommends 6 x 400.  I have never done real sprint work, so this should be interesting.  I typically try to finish the last quarter mile run strong or I’ll sprint for a quarter mile in the middle of my run.  I’m curious to see how I perform for each individual lap according to my virtual coach, Garmin. 

 

Thursday, I will do another 3 mile run and some strengthening exercises.  Then, later in the morning, I’m heading to Anna Maria Island for our Second Annual Moms on the Go Mommy Getaway.  I can’t wait to sneak away with 14 of the greatest mommy friends!  I’m looking forward to some sunset runs along the beach and then kicking back with a few beer by the pool and on the beach.  As long as I can keep from binge drinking I should be ready for early morning runs! 

 

Margaritas