Beantown Baker

Crockpot Hawaiian Pulled Pork

2012-02-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

We all agree that pulled pork is awesome, right? I mean, it cooks on low in the crockpot for hours and is just falling apart and so tender. There's really nothing better. For quite some time now, I've been making this Crockpot Pulled Pork. It gets rave reviews. It's delicious and everything you could ask for in a saucy spicy pulled pork.

But sometimes you don't want saucy. And you don't want spicy. You just want porky. (Is that a word? I'm not sure, but I'm going with it). This pulled pork is AMAZING. I literally woke up the morning after I put it in the crockpot - did I mention I cooked it for 20 hours? - anyways, I woke up the next morning and was confused. I saw Hubby still snoring away in bed. But I smelled bacon. Who was cooking bacon in my house that Saturday morning? I stumbled in the kitchen, clearly confused. Then upon seeing my crockpot, remembered that we had pork cooking low and slow. For 20 hours. Yea, just let that one process for a minute.

When Hubby did wake from his slumber, he hit up a local bakery for some rolls and we enjoyed Crockpot Hawaiian Pulled Pork sandwiches. I topped them with provolone and melted the cheese under the broiler for a minute. It's seriously amazing what you can make with three simple ingredients and 20 hours in the crockpot.

One Year Ago: Crockpot Pulled Chicken
Two Years Ago: Sesame Crisps
Three Years Ago: Crockpot Beef and Peppers

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Deviled Eggs

2012-02-23T10:23:00.000-05:00

Hubby LOVES Deviled Eggs. Honestly, loves them. Whenever we make them for get togethers, I have to hide the fact that they're being made until right before people arrive so he doesn't eat them all. Sometimes, when he's stressed, I'll whip up 2 or 3 eggs worth for him and he starts smiling instantly.

Deviled Eggs are such a classic appetizer and I know a lot of people have their own family recipes for making them. I learned from my mom and I really just throw things together and taste as I go. But when I set out to make our Family Cookbook, I forced myself to use measuring spoons and write it up as a recipe. I even posted these, over 4 years ago, but didn't have measurements in that recipe.

One last note about Deviled Eggs. If you are like me and don't have one of those special egg plates to serve your eggs, you can simply line a serving tray with leafy greens. Not only will it prevent your eggs from sliding all over the place, it also adds a great splash of color.

One Year Ago: My Favorite Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Two Years Ago: Rice and Beans

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Bacon Blondies

2012-02-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

I've been on a big bacon kick lately. I'm not sure why, but I've just been throwing bacon into everything. No one is complaining about this recent obsession. I needed a sweet treat to share with friends and my mind instantly went to bacon. I found this recipe and knew it would be a hit.

I decided to throw some bittersweet chocolate chips into the blondie batter. And once again, I used Peanut Butter and Co's White Chocolate Wonderful in the frosting (which was AMAZING). After initial taste testing, we decided they needed more bacon so I crumbled more bacon on top than the original recipe listed. I have reflected my changes in the recipe below.

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Herbed Bread baked in a Dutch Oven

2012-02-21T09:21:00.000-05:00

Literally every time I make bread at home, I tell myself to do it more frequently. It's really not difficult at all and the results are always AMAZING. This bread was no exception. In fact, the four of us devoured this entire loaf along with our Roasted Garlic and Chicken Soup in one setting. The bread was still warm when we sat down for dinner.

Last year, when my mom gave me my new dutch oven, this bread was one of the things I new I would be making with it. I read the instruction manual that came with my dutch oven and it indicated that the black plastic knob was only safe in the oven up to 350 degrees. Since most things that you cook in a dutch oven are low-and-slow, that won't cause an issue. However, this bread gets baked at 450 degrees F, so I instantly ordered a new knob for my dutch oven. If you're going to make this bread, just be sure to check how hot your bakeware can handle.

I was a bit worried when I threw this bread into the oven because it hadn't risen very much. Luckily, it rose quite a bit while it was baking. I used thyme in my bread since there was thyme in the soup, but I'm sure any herbs that you have on hand would be delicious.

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Roasted Garlic and Chicken Soup

2012-02-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

Remember when I posted How to Roast Garlic and talked about Hubby would bathe in the stuff if I let him? I'm pretty sure he'd also bathe himself in this soup. It uses 3 whole heads of garlic so I knew he'd love it.

The biggest disappointment with this recipe was that it only serves four. So the night I made it for dinner with friends, we didn't get to enjoy leftovers. Have no fear, I made it a couple days later for Hubby and I to enjoy just the two of us.

The fact that I made this recipe twice in one week is a testament to how good it is. I rarely remake recipes. It just doesn't make sense with the huge list of recipes I want to try. But this was worth the effort. I would recommend roasting your garlic in advance if you want to save yourself some time when you're making this. I served it with freshly baked bread.

Two Years Ago: Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Three Years Ago: Red Velvet Cupcakes

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30-while-30 8 Month Update

2012-02-17T10:03:00.000-05:00

I honestly can't believe how fast this year is FLYING by. They say time speeds up when you have kids. I can't even imagine... It's time again to check in on my 30-while-30 list. I marked a couple things off the list this month!!

Food / Blogging

~~Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake~~ - Done! I made a holiday version by adding peppermint!
Gnocchi
Donuts
Eggs Benedict
Laminated dough (either danishes or croissants)
Make bread at least 4 times
Bake at least 4 layer cakes - 1: Neapolitan Cheesecake Cake
Buy a whole coconut. Open it. Do something (delicious) with it.
Make at least one thing from each cookbook I own - any cookbooks that don't get used in a year, donate or giveaway on here - I started making my list of cookbooks. I plan to post it on here shortly.
Cook with 3 new foods - Being part of a CSA this summer was AMAZING. I've definitely already cooked with 3 new foods, including this Summer Shrimp Salad.

Relationships

Send birthday cards to my and Hubby's families (including siblings, parents, nephews, etc) - So far, so good on this one
Continue to bake for a good cause - I was able to participate in an online bake sale on The Spiffy Cookie, I hosted a Holiday Cookie Swap where $0.10 was donated to Cookies for Kids Cancer for every cookie exchanged, I donated cookies for an online bake sale on The Kitchen Misfit
~~Go see my sister's new house~~ - Done! We got to see Brooke's house while we were in the Midwest for Thanksgiving
~~Go on a girls weekend getaway~~ - Done! I spent a weekend in St Louis with my mom and two sisters in July. It was a great time.
Volunteer 4 times

Random

Get another tattoo - I have been working on a design for this one!
~~Pay off my car~~ - Done!
Decide on a signature / go-to cocktail - I'm working very hard on trying new cocktails to make this decision... I have a good idea but I want to master making it at home first...
Watch a sunrise
~~Read 4 books~~ - 1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2. Water for Elephants 3. The Hunger Games 4. Catching Fire 5. Mockingjay

Healthy living

~~Walk another Avon Walk for Breast Cancer~~ - Done! Recap here
Continue to work out on a regular basis - I've been a working out machine recently. It's been awesome.
Treat myself to 6 massages - five down, 1 to go
Get my first facial

Travel and Life in Boston

~~Go to the Head of the Charles~~ - This one didn't happen. It was really sad. The Head of the Charles weekend was beautiful. Hubby and I were getting ready to head out to walk over to see the races and I started feeling sick. It was a combination of allergies and something else. I tried to stay strong and power through it, but about a mile into our walk, we had to turn back. I had a horrible fever and just wasn't doing so well. Hopefully we'll make it to the HOTC next year...
Visit the New England Aquarium
See the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
~~Go to Top of the Hub for cocktails~~ - I went to Top of the Hub on Sunday with some friends for cocktails. It was a beautifully clear (and cold!) day and we had great views of Boston. We had great service while we were there. One of my friends ordered a martini that was poured tableside. They left her the shaker to top off the rest of her drink. When she poured the rest of her martini in the glass, there was a tiny little bug in there. We informed the waitress and she took the glass away. My friend didn't want another drink so we were just hoping they would take her martini off the bill. When the waitress returned she said they comped our entire bill, which was totally unnecessary! The manager even came over to apologize about the drink. We were all very impressed by that service. I'll definitely be going back here with Hubby some time.
~~Visit 3 new cities~~ - 1: St Louis, 2: Niagara Falls 3: Keene, NH 4: Exeter, NH

Reader's Choice

Post more how-to tips (including videos) on here (thanks to Mary and Sarah for the suggestion!) - Check out my new How-To tag. I've posted a few how-to posts this month already!

Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies

2012-02-16T09:58:00.000-05:00

I may have misled you guys the other day when I was talking about that Salted Caramel Sauce. Sure, I gave away most of it as gifts. And sure, Hubby enjoyed it on top of ice cream. But one of the real reasons I wanted to make it was so that I could make these Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies.

If you like turtles, you'll love these brownies. I made these while my mom was visiting since she loves turtles. I whipped them up in no time and then we had to wait the brutal couple of hours for them to chill and set up. We all really enjoyed these brownies. They were very decadent without over-doing it.

One Year Ago: Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava
Two Years Ago: Two Potato Chowder
Three Years Ago: Smashed Chickpea Salad
Four Years Ago: Lemon Cupcakes

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The Publick House Mac and Cheese

2012-02-15T09:59:00.000-05:00

Fellow Bostonians, have you been to The Publick House in Washington Square? If you haven't been there, you need to go this weekend. It's one of our favorite places to go. And we happen to live right down the street. Score!

Hubby is pretty predictable when it comes to his order at The Publick House. He always gets the mac and cheese or the moules-frites. (I always go with the veggie burger). I decided I wanted to find a recipe for this famous mac and cheese for a recent dinner with friends. Luckily, there was a recipe posted on Boston.com.

I grabbed all my ingredients and got ready to make this mac and cheese. First, I cut the recipe in half. I was cooking dinner for 4 people and the recipe said it serves 8. Hubby helped by shredding the cheeses while I was cooking the bechamel sauce. Once the cooked macaroni was stirred into the cheese sauce, it was then baked for 20 more minutes. This mac and cheese is definitely a labor of love. But's it is so worth it. I took a couple bites and really enjoyed it. Hubby and our guests enjoyed it as well!

One Year Ago: Dulce de Leche in the Crockpot

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Salted Caramel Sauce

2012-02-14T10:57:00.000-05:00

Caramel sauce might be one of Hubby's favorite things ever. He will always choose a caramel treat over a a chocolatey treat. I've just recently gotten more comfortable making my own caramel sauce. It actually is so much easier than I thought it was. Having a candy thermometer is a must for making caramel at home. But that's really all you need. If you haven't made your own caramel sauce, do it. Trust me, it's worth the minimal effort required.

I ended up making a triple batch of this salted caramel during the holidays. I ordered some cute jars online and gave them away as gifts to some family members. Hubby also enjoyed a bunch of this caramel sauce heated up over vanilla ice cream.

One Year Ago: Crunchy Nut Encrusted Chicken Tenders
Two Years Ago: BBQ Chicken Pizza Sticks

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Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

2012-02-13T11:43:00.000-05:00

Caramel corn is one of my favorite snacks. I can eat my way through more than I should in one sitting. Because of this, I rarely make it at home. I whipped up this Peanut Butter Caramel Corn for hanging out with some friends a couple weeks ago. Everyone really enjoyed it.

I used Peanut Butter and Co's White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter. I think it has a hint of caramel flavor in it and figured it would pair well with the caramel. I think this would be delicious with regular old peanut butter, but I really enjoyed the flavor using the white chocolate PB.

Two Years Ago: M&M Cookies
Three Years Ago: Vegan Chocolate Banana Caramel Cupcakes

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Warm Chickpea, Mushroom, and Brussels Sprouts Salad

2012-02-10T08:57:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I LOVE brussels sprouts. When they're roasted, they are my favorite vegetable. We probably eat roasted brussels at least once a week. Sometimes more like three times a week. They're just SO GOOD. And I'm proud to say that I introduced them to my family and now my 17 year old sister makes them at home for dinner.

As much as I love roasted brussels, I also like to mix things up sometimes. I made this recipe for the first time as an excuse to try that Cardamom Candied Bacon. Let me tell you, we've been mixing this Warm Chickpea, Mushroom, and Brussels Sprouts Salad pretty often since that first time.

If I don't have candied bacon, I just use regular old bacon. I honestly couldn't notice a difference when the bacon wasn't candied. The hardest part of this recipe is just slicing the brussels. Luckily, Hubby enjoys this dish so much, he offers to slice the brussels for me while I cook the bacon. This salad is great fresh off the stove and it also reheats well and is a perfect addition to a packed lunch from home.

Two Years Ago: Mixed Berry and Cream Cheese Filled King Cake
Three Years Ago: Crockpot Red Curry Chicken with Butternut Squash

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Cardamom Candied Bacon

2012-02-09T08:56:00.000-05:00

I think we can all agree that bacon makes everything better. (except maybe those brownies I posted a couple weeks ago). But how do you make bacon better? You candy it. With cardamom. Yep, candied bacon is amazing. And cardamom is one of my favorite spices. I love the citrusy, spicy flavor.

Hubby and I enjoyed this bacon next to eggs for breakfast. I also used this bacon in the Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies that I made recently. And be sure to check back tomorrow for a savory recipe to use this bacon.

One Year Ago: Triple Layer Oreo Cake

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Amazingly Blueberry-ey Blueberry Muffins

2012-02-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Last summer, Hubby and I went blueberry picking with some friends. We came home with tons and tons of blueberries (15 pounds to be exact!). I whipped up a bunch of blueberry treats, like Cinnamon Blueberry Rolls, Blueberry Cobbler Bars, and even some Blueberry Salsa over Grilled Mahi Mahi. Even after all these yummy blueberry treats, I still frozen quite a few blueberries so we could enjoy them all year.

Hubby likes to sit down with a bag of frozen blueberries and just snack on them. But he lets me bake with some of them as well. These muffins really are Amazingly Blueberry-ey Blueberry Muffins. They're bursting with berry deliciousness. The blueberry jam swirled into the top of the muffins add an extra burst of flavor. I love this idea and can't wait to try it with other fruit muffins.

One Year Ago: Black Forest Cupcakes for Frosting for the Cause
Two Years Ago: Chinese Restaurant Almond Cookies

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Cherry M&M Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2012-02-07T12:40:00.000-05:00

I saw these cookies on Picky Palate over the holidays. They reminded me of these Oatmeal Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies that I love. I decided I had to find some cinnamon M&Ms. Then I found out the hard way that getting my hands on some cinnamon M&Ms was going to be much easier said than done.

I looked in every place I could think of for those silly cinnamon M&Ms. Apparently everyone else in Boston was sitting at home snacking on them while I was out searching for them. Or maybe they just didn't make it to Boston. Either way, I was ready to give up.

Then I was at the store and noticed they had candy out for Valentine's Day. I thought maybe they'd have some of the mysterious cinnamon M&Ms since they're red. No such luck. But they did have these red cherry M&Ms. I decided to give them a shot and just give up on the cinnamon ones.

I followed the same recipe and even included the ground cinnamon which turned out to be the right decision. The cinnamon gave a great boost of flavor to these cookies.

I ran out of M&Ms for the last few cookies and I have to say, this chocolate chip cookie recipe without the M&Ms is pretty tasty too.

One Year Ago: Colorful Cumin Quinoa Salad

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Black and Tan Brownies

2012-02-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's Secret Recipe Club time again. This group has been so much fun because it's so low pressure and I get to meet new bloggers and try new recipes. My matchup this month is Itzy's Kitchen.

Back when we were dating, Hubby would order a Black and Tan on a regular basis. He was the first person I had ever seen order one. I'm not a huge fan of the original black and tan (made with Bass and Guinness), but I do enjoy some of the variations, especially mixing Blue Moon and Guinness Some places call this a Black Moon or a Black and Blue. Although be careful when you order a Black and Blue. Some places will mix blueberry beer with Guinness. Weird!

When I saw the pictures on Itzy's Kitchen the bars looked a little thin and I definitely enjoy thicker blondies/brownies. I decided to make the entire recipe but use a smaller pan. I definitely got a thicker bar, but the ratio of batter wasn't 50:50 like I was expecting. I double checked the ingredients and I definitely put everything in, so it's a mystery why the tan layer was so thin.

Even with the thin tan layer, these were delicious. The Guinness keeps the black layer very moist and the nuts in the tan layer provide a nice crunch.

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Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-02-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

After I made those disappointing Bacon Bourbon Brownies, I couldn't get the thought of a bacon-ey dessert out of my head. Luckily there are plenty of bacon filled desserts out there on the internet. I was so happy when I took my first bite of these cookies. The bacon lends a smokey saltiness that isn't too overpowering but very well appreciated.

I took these cookies to work and had fun listening to people's reaction when they saw the label on the ziplock bag. Some people were instantly turned off by the idea of bacon in a cookie. Others were intrigued and a few of them didn't believe there was actually bacon in them until they took a bite.

I chopped the bacon pretty small so you don't see huge chunks of bacon. I wanted them to be about the same size as a chocolate chip and I think that size worked well. You could definitely use larger chunks to get more of a wow-factor just by looking at the cookies.

Two Years Ago: Spicy Sweet Pretzel Party Mix
Three Years Ago: Alton Brown's Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Four Years Ago: Chocolate Cupcakes and Stuffed Chicken Burgers

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Roasted Garlic Hummus

2012-02-02T11:27:00.000-05:00

Now that you all know how simple it is to roast garlic at home, you can make all sorts of delicious treats with it. First up is some Roasted Garlic Hummus. I always like to have some fresh vegetables at any sort of party, including parties for the upcoming Superbowl. I like to give people the option to have something lighter and healthier on their plate.

Once you have some roasted garlic that has been cooled to room temperature, whipping up the hummus only takes a few minutes. Serve it with some fresh veggies and pita chips.

One Year Ago: Peppermint Patty Cupcakes
Two Years Ago: Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Three Years Ago: Pork Chops with Blue Cheese Gravy

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How to Roast Garlic

2012-02-01T11:27:00.000-05:00

Today kick's off Hubby's birthday month! The crazy thing is that he's not a big birthday person. But I am. I would celebrate my birthday the entire month of June if he let me. Usually I'm lucky to get just the one weekend of my birthday dedicated to me. But that's ok. I like making a big deal out of other people's birthdays almost as much as my own.

So this month, I'm going to feature some of Hubby's favorite foods. Or foods containing his favorite foods.

It's pretty easy to predict if Hubby is going to like something. For one, he's not a picky eater at all, so really, there are very few things he won't like. I don't think there's anything he absolutely won't eat. He claims to not like peanut butter in desserts, but he still eats them... I've been told that as a boy, he often requested liver and onions for dinner. I can tell you one thing. If you serve something with one of these foods, he's going to love it:

lobster
caramel
coffee
creme brulee
garlic
bacon
blueberries

So to kick things off today, I'm going to show you how to roast garlic. It's quite simple and roasted garlic is so sweet and fragrant, it's worth the small amount of effort that it requires. Hubby would bathe in this stuff if I let him. Instead, I let him smear it on bread by the spoonful.

One Year Ago: Oven Roasted Chickpeas
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Overdose Cake

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The Ultimate Whoopie Pies

2012-01-31T10:47:00.000-05:00

I've been hearing that whoopie pies are the new cupcake. I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Whoopie pies do have some similar attributes to cupcakes. You can make them with just about any cake and frosting combination you can think of. And they're portable. You can make thing big or small.

I decided to give whoopie pies a shot. I used my go-to chocolate cupcake recipe for the cake/cookie part. When I started to think about filling options, I kept coming back to the jar of salted caramel sauce I had in the fridge. I whipped up a few batches of the caramel sauce to give for holiday gifts and still had half a jar left for me and Hubby to enjoy.

I knew I could make caramel frosting but I really wanted the caramel to shine on it's own. Then one morning, it hit me. Marshmallow frosting. But not just any marshmallow frosting. Toasted marshmallow frosting. I mean, marshmallow frosting is great, but when you toast it - WOW.

So there you have it. These Ultimate Whoopie Pies are composed of chocolate cake, toasted marshmallow frosting, and salted caramel sauce. Seriously, these are the best whoopie pies ever. I decided to make these guys in the shape of a football since I was sharing them with friends at a football watching party.

Marshmallow frosting doesn't hold up very well, so you can make the caramel sauce and the cake parts in advance. Then make the marshmallow frosting and assemble the whoopie pies the day that you plan to serve them.

Three Years Ago: Apple Spice Bars
Four Years Ago: Lemon Meringue Cup-pies

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Jalapeno Popper Inspired Grilled Cheese

2012-01-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

Well it's here. The week of the Superbowl. I'm lucky enough to have friends who don't mind me taking over their kitchen to provide all the food for their Superbowl party. Fiona and I have a pretty killer menu planned out for next Sunday. For the rest of you who might still be tweeking your menus or who just need a few more ideas, I've got some posts coming up this week that will hopefully inspire your football food needs.

You all know I'm a big wimp when it comes to spicy foods. So I could only handle about one bite of this Jalapeno Popper Inspired Grilled Cheese. That one bite was delicious. I had hoped that roasted the jalapenos might mellow them out a bit, but it didn't. I loved the addition of the apricot preserves gives a subtle sweetness and the goat cheese mimics the cream cheese smoothiness that is found in most jalapeno poppers. Hubby really enjoyed this sandwich and it would make a great addition to your Superbowl spread.

Two Years Ago: Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole
Four Years Ago: White Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes - take two

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Avon Walk Interview and 10th Birthday Celebration!

2012-01-29T08:29:00.000-05:00

I was approached by the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer with an opportunity to interview one of their executives. Since I wasn't able to fit an in-person interview into my schedule, I did an email interview with Eloise Caggiano, Program Director, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Before I get to the interview, I wanted to let everyone know about the Avon Walk's 10th Birthday Party coming up on Saturday, February 4th. The Avon Walk is celebrating in all of the nine walk cities nationwide. If you're interested in learning more about walking, participating as a crew member, or even if you're an alum, the party will be a great opportunity to kick off the 2012 Avon Walk season. You can also register at a discounted rate! I've already signed up to attend in Boston. More information can be found here about the locations of the celebration.

And now, on to the interview. I hope you find it informative and interesting. If you have any questions about the Avon Walk, feel free to email me. If you'd like to donate to my walk, you can do so here.

How did you become involved in the Avon Walk?
Going through something like breast cancer really helps put things in perspective. I was working very hard at the time I was diagnosed, and thought to myself: “If I'm going to work this hard, I want to feel really good about it at the end of the day.” I was looking for a more rewarding, fulfilling career and a way to give back. I knew I wanted to move into the non-profit world and while it wasn't a requirement that my new job be breast cancer related, I was hoping it would be. It took a little while to find the right thing, but when the position at the Avon Foundation for Women became available, I knew I wanted it! It is so rewarding to be able to take my experience with breast cancer and put it to good use in my career. To know that the work we do is helping women and men who are facing a diagnosis have a better chance for survival, is really special to me.

How are the cities chosen for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer?
It’s more complicated than you’d think! We currently have nine Walks across the country in some really fantastic cities. We make some tough choices in determining where to schedule the Avon Walk events, creating a schedule that allows us to produce enjoyable, safe and successful events within our resources and in areas that can support an event of this magnitude (choosing the perfect venues for our Opening and Closing Ceremonies, an overnight campsite, coordinating 39 miles of safe and interesting walking routes, etc.), while giving as many people as possible a chance to participate. Even if there is an Avon Walk in their own city, many of our participants choose to travel to different Avon Walks -- what a great way to experience a new city!

What's your favorite walk city?
As the program director for the Avon Walk events, I don’t think I’m allowed to play favorites! I travel to all nine of our Walks each year and can truly say each one is incredible in its own way. For example, our Rocky Mountains Walk is absolutely gorgeous, the scenery is breathtaking; our Washington DC Walk gives you a great tour of an incredibly historic city; our Avon Walk Charlotte takes you through some of the most charming and beautiful neighborhoods; our New York Walk is our biggest of the season (and it’s my hometown!) so that’s always an exciting one for me…but no matter which city you choose, you are going to have an amazing Avon Walk weekend and most importantly, you’ll be raising money and awareness that will help in the fight against breast cancer.

Who lays out the routes? Are they the same from year to year? How is the route mileage measured?
All of the Avon Walks are two days and 39.3 miles. We work with the local police departments, city organizations and parks departments to develop a safe and interesting route for our participants. We try hard to give you a really nice tour of the city you are in and we are always looking for ways to improve the experience, so while our routes are often similar form year to year, we are always trying to fine-tune the route to make it the best it can be.

How much money has the Avon Walk raised since its first year?
This is our 10th birthday season this year! Since the Walks’ launch in 2003, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Series has raised more than $423 million, which is fantastic. The Avon Foundation for Women has donated $47 million to organizations and institutions in New England alone, which is really nice for our Boston Walkers and Crew to know that so much money stays in their area.

How many people have walked the Avon Walk since the beginning?
Nearly 160,000 participating women and men across the country that have walked a total of 5.3 million miles since 2003 – the equivalent of 210 times around Earth!

What's the best advice you've given or heard for first-time walkers?
Oh there are so many good things I can tell them! Here are just a few:
• “You can do it!” Many people think they can’t walk all of the miles or raise all of the money, but they can! We provide a lot of support along the way, from training walks to fundraising clinics, to help set each person up for success. And the good thing is, the Avon Walk is not a race and it is not competitive – you can walk at your own pace and if you don’t finish all the miles, that’s okay with us!
• “Don’t ask…don’t get!” Many people are shy about asking for donations. But I always remind them of two things. 1) they are not asking for themselves, they are asking for money that will help so many other people, and 2) you will likely need to ask people more than once. Many people intend to donate, but then it slips their mind. Don’t hold back! Ask, and ask again. You’ll be surprised at how many people truly want to support the cause. And if you don’t ask….you don’t get any donations!
• “You’ll never walk alone” Some people hesitate to register for an Avon Walk if they don’t have someone to do it with them. But rest assured that we have MANY walkers who sign up on their own and by the end of the experience they will have met so many amazing people and made new friends. One of my favorite parts of being at these events is getting out on the route and talking to people! There is always someone to talk to and walk with. Many of our teams welcome in our “solo” Walkers – it’s such a great community of people!

How often do you wear pink?
It’s a good thing I like pink, because I wear a LOT of it! At our nine Avon Walk events, for three days straight I’m wearing pink, usually several layers of pink because we start very early in the morning when it is often chilly so I’m always layered up! When I’m not at the Avon Walks, I wear some pink, and have a lot of pink accessories (everything from socks, to my phone case). But I am also surrounded in pink at my office, with Avon Walk pictures, posters, and more everywhere. I even have a big ribbon made out of pink Christmas lights hanging by my desk!

What about those peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Why do some walks not have them?
The peanut butter and jelly graham cracker sandwiches are so addicting! Our participants go crazy for them! I even have a friend who has asked me to smuggle a few home from a Walk for her! On the rare (and very sad) occasion, the company we get them from runs out of inventory, we have to substitute them with another snack. The first time it happened, I was worried there would be riots! (I’m only half kidding!) We do our best to keep our Walkers happy.

What's your favorite part of walk weekend?
Well, I already mentioned how I love being out on the route in each city walking with everyone and meeting new people. I get to hear such amazing and inspiring stories, and also just get to meet some really interesting folks. But another favorite of mine is our Closing Ceremony. Once everyone completes the walk, they have such an amazing sense of accomplishment - not only because of the miles they walked, or the money they raised, but also because they know they’re making a difference, what they just did will help saves people's lives. Our Ceremony is a great celebration of all they’ve accomplished and when they see the big checks presented on stage to our beneficiaries who are literally fighting breast cancer right now, it is so rewarding! For two days and 39 miles we all come together with one shared mission—to end breast cancer once and for all—and the Closing Ceremony is a great way to end our special weekend together.

What are some of the most creative fundraising tactics you've seen?
Our Avon Walk participants are some pretty savvy and creative fundraisers! Some keep it simple and stick to traditional fundraising letters and emails. Others have parties at their house and charge everyone $20 that goes towards their fundraising. Some will do a car wash, or bake sale, or make jewelry to sell. Some will do raffles or auctions. The ideas are endless! And if someone is in need of ideas, we have tons of them! We also try to make fundraising as easy as possible by giving each participant their own personal web page. We also have social media tools that help you raise money via Facebook or your iPhone, we offer fundraising clinics, and more!

Do people get more nervous about the training for the 39.3 miles or raising the $1800? Which do you think is harder?
It really varies for each person. For some, the physical challenge of walking up to 39.3 miles is an accomplishment they never thought they could achieve. For others--especially those who have never fundraised before -- the idea of raising money is daunting. But one thing is common among them all: there is such a feeling of pride knowing that the money and awareness they raised is going to help people get the breast cancer care they need, regardless of their ability to pay for it and will help researchers continue their quest for a cure.

For some, the challenge of completing the Avon Walk is their way to pay tribute to those who are battling breast cancer right now, and you will often hear people saying “Sure, I'm exhausted, but what I'm feeling now is nothing compared to what my mom went through with chemo.” The hundreds of breast cancer survivors walking by their sides (some of whom are in the midst of their treatments) are a source of inspiration and a reminder of why we need to keep walking. For others the accomplishment lies in knowing they have done a wonderful thing in memory of someone they've lost to this disease. When you learn that someone you love has been diagnosed, you can feel helpless, and for many of those people, participating in an Avon Walk is a way to help, a way to do something and a way to show their support. Whether they walk 9 miles or 39 miles; whether they raise $1,800 or $18,000 -- every single Avon Walk participant is making a difference.

Which crew job is the most fun (or most requested)?
It depends on who you ask! Some of our Crew are so loyal and come back year after year and want the same Crew job – even if it’s a tough one! Some of them love to be on our Food Service team and feed the hungry and tired Walkers a hot meal. Some of them love to be on the Gear and Tent Crew because they know how much the Walkers appreciate not having to lug their own stuff around. The Walkers are so appreciative of all the Crew teams. They especially love our Moto Crew – these are great men and women who are on their motorcycles at some of the bigger intersections to make sure Walkers get across safely. They are fantastic--some of them wear crazy costumes, or tell silly jokes, anything to put a big smile on the Walkers faces!

What is your favorite memory from being involved with the Avon Walk?
Oh gosh - there have been so many amazing moments! I wish I could list the name of every single person I've met at an Avon Walk, because each of them has made this a special experience for me. Their stories, their dedication, their passion -- it's just incredible! I absolutely love when I meet someone who has benefited from the programs we fund with money raised at the Avon Walks -- like a survivor who was able to get the breast cancer treatment she needed or a mammogram even though she did not have insurance. It is living proof that we are doing amazing work, that we are making a difference! Meeting the other survivors is always significant for me -- especially when I meet the "big number" survivors, like this fabulous woman Deb who is a 25 year survivor! It gives me such hope, and they are so inspiring! Recently, I was talking to a women who was very recently diagnosed and she was asking a lot of questions about my experience and my perspective now as compared to how I felt 6 years ago when I first went though it and she said, "Wow - I'm so glad I'm talking to you. You are making me feel so much better! Knowing that you went through all of these same things, worried about the same things is making me feel less crazy!" So knowing that just by talking to people that I'm helping them in some small way, means so much to me.

What do you think makes the walk different from other fundraising activities?
I think it is the incredible sense of community at the Avon Walk that really makes it special. All of these amazing people coming from all walks of life, all parts of the country (and beyond), all ages, shapes and sizes – they would likely never cross paths otherwise, but for one weekend they are united, one big family, knowing that together they are an unstoppable force in the fight against breast cancer.

What percent of walkers have walked before? What about crew members?
We love our Avon Walk “alumni”! We have Walkers and Crew who come back year after year after year…starting with our very first Walk in 2003! We have some participants who do several Avon Walks per year, some who chose a different city each year – they are a wonderful and loyal group! It varies per city and from year to year, but a fair estimate would be that at least 25% of our participants each year are alumni.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Every three minutes someone in the US is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every three minutes! If you don't know someone who has been affected by this disease, then chances are, you will. Every person diagnosed is someone's mother, sister, best friend, or even brother. We have to change these statistics and we are really trying, but we need your help. Participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Boston (or any of our other cities!) is a way to help raise much-needed money and awareness for this deadly disease. For two days you will walk and you will laugh. You will meet amazing people with amazing stories, who really, really want to hear your story too. You will make new friends and become closer to those you already have. Whether you walk 20 miles, or finish all 39.3 miles of the Avon Walk, you will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment not only for what you physically achieved, but because you know that you are making a difference. The money you raise will help researchers continue their quest for better treatments, preventions and a cure. And it will help people get the breast cancer care and treatment they need, regardless of their ability to pay for it. It sounds cliché, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true: participating in the Avon Walk is a life-changing experience. I see it time and time again.

Cheesey Mushroom Pull Apart Bread

2012-01-27T09:36:00.000-05:00

I'm just going to come out and say this bread is AMAZING. Seriously. If you are looking for ideas for the Superbowl, MAKE THIS BREAD. Actually, you should make it this weekend to test it out and play with what flavors you want to use as a practice run. Then make it again next weekend to share with your friends at the Superbowl.

But be warned, it's quite addictive. In fact, maybe you should plan to bring two to your Superbowl party. It's seriously so gooey from the melted cheese. The butter, green onion, and poppy seed sauce on top really takes this bread to the next level.

When I saw this recipe, I was instantly thinking of other flavors you could stuff into the bread. Anything that works on pizza would be great here. I went with provolone and mushroom this time. I'm sure it would be great with pepperoni and mozzarella, bacon and cheddar, or just plan old cheese. If you guys make this, you have to come back and let me know what flavors you made.

Two Years Ago: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
One Year Ago: Vegan Sugar Free Chocolate Rum Cookies

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Pretzel Bites

2012-01-26T11:23:00.000-05:00

Have you guys been noticing the theme around here recently? That's right - it's time to start thinking about Superbowl party food. To me, football means finger foods and appetizers. And bacon. We'll get the bacon soon enough. First, let's talk about pretzels. I love making homemade soft pretzels, but I think I love these little pretzel bites even more.

First of all, you don't have to shape them into pretzels, just roll the dough into a long snake and snip off little pieces. Easy peasy. And for whatever reason, as bites, the pretzels are even more additictive. What is it about small foods that makes them so addictive?

Look - I added a Football Food tag to my blog! Be sure to check it out.

One Year Ago: Mini Whole Wheat Bagels
Three Years Ago: Chicken Wings

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Amped Up Rice Krispies Treats

2012-01-25T10:20:00.000-05:00

You know how certain foods can just take you back. Whether it's to a time or place, sometimes even the scent of a food can really trigger a memory. One random memory I have is eating applesauce to the tune of Jeopardy. Every time I see a jar of applesauce, that song just runs through my head. I think it's because Jeopardy was on around dinner time growing up. And I hated applesauce. Blech. But my sister Brooke loved it. She ate it by itself, one her hamburgers, on her spaghetti. She's weird.

Anyways, the whole reason for my tangent was thinking how Rice Krispies treats take us all back to our childhood. But these Amped Up Rice Krispies Treats, a family recipe from my friend Cara, really kick things up a notch by adding a variety of flavors all into one bite. I threw some cinnamon chips into the mix because I had some on hand. I loved the combination of butterscotch, cinnamon, and chocolate.

Two Years Ago: Butternut Squash and Spinach Casserole
Four Years Ago: White Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes - take two

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Mini Roast Beef, Goat Cheese, and Radish Sandwiches

2012-01-24T12:04:00.000-05:00

I made these little sandwiches for a party we had at our house a while ago. They were a HUGE hit and would be perfect for the Superbowl in a couple weeks. You could really use whatever sandwich combinations you enjoy in some little puff pastry buns.

Making the little puff pastry buns took a bit of time just because after they cooled, they all had to be cut in half. I made the puff pastry buns one day and assembled the sandwiches the next day.

Hubby requested roast beef and I decided to pair it with some creamy herbed goat cheese and a thin slice of radish to give it some bite and crunch. The combination was pretty awesome and I can't wait to make these again!

One Year Ago: Oatmeal Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies

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