Lent is here, which means vegetarian meals (fish not excluded) during Fridays and Ash Wednesday. What it means for me this year, is 40 days of all vegetarian meals (again, fish not exluded). If you are into trying vegetarian food or changing up your meals, try out these simple recipes and ideas for both vegetarian meals and snacks, whether you practice Lent or not.

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/47493_vegetarian-snacks-for-lent

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/37035_vegetarian-meals-during-lent

T.G.I FRIDAY’S KICKIN RANCH DIP

INGREDIANTS

T.G.I FRIDAY’S BUFFALO WINGS ( IN FREEZER SECTION)

2 TABLESPOONS PREPARED HOT SAUCE

1 1/2 CUPS  STEAKHOUSE RANCH SALAD DRESSING

INSTRUCTIONS~

STIR TOGETHER HOT SAUCE AND SALAD DRESSING, COVER; REFRIGERATE UNTIL SERVING TIME

PREPARE WINGS ACCORDING TO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS, GARNISH DIP WITH GREEN ONIONS, IF DESIRED

SERVE COLD DIP WITH WINGS, REFRIGERATE ANY LEFT OVERS, MAKES 13 SERVINGS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

FRENCH ONION LAYERED BLT DIP

INGREDIENTS

1 16oz CONTAINER FRENCH ONION DIP

1 (2.1oz PKG BACON BITS

3/4 CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE

2 MEDIUM TOMATOES CHOPPED AND DIVIDED

1 CUP SHREDDED LETTUCE

INSTRUCTIONS

SPOON ONION DIP ON TO BOTTOM OF 9INCH PIE PLATE,SPRINKLE BACON BITS OVER DIP

TOP WITH CHEESE 3/4 CUP TOMATOES, AND LETTUCE

SPRINKLE WITH REMAINING TOMATOES

SERVE  IMMEDIATELY WITH CRACKERS, PRETZLES, OR FRESH VEGETABLES

MAKES 20 SERVINGS

INGREDIANTS ~

2 cups frozen sweet corn kernels (thawed)

1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed thoroughly

1/2 Jar Tostitos  Mild Salsa

1 bunch green onions, diced

1/2 Avocado, peeled and coarsely chopped ( I just use pre-made guacamole dip)

juice of 1/2 lime ( I buy the lime juice in a jar or the little plastic lime containers)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1Bag of Tostitos Scoops

Trivia

Walter Payton, Chicago has set the record for most yards gained over a life time for a pro-player ( as of 2005)

LIT’L BOURBON SNACKS

INGREDIENTS~

2cups ketchup

3/4cup bourbon or 1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup of Dark Brown Sugar

1Tablespoon grated onion

1LB Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a sauce pan combine ketchup, bourbon (or apple juice), brown sugar, and onion.

2 Add links;simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, If mixture thickens to much  thin with water or additional juice

3 Serve HOT

Makes 25 Servings

~TRIVIA~

In 1951 The First Championship was broadcasted on Television Coast to Coast in the United States

To kick off SuperBowl 44  I will be posting some kickin snacks  to help get your party started, so each day look for a new snack to be posted until the Big Game..

Bon Appétit!!

SUPER MANWICH DIP.

Ingredients

3lbs lean ground beef

(3) 15.5oz cans of Manwich Original Sloppy Joe Sauce

Corn Chips

Sour Cream

Sliced Green Onions

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink; Drain. Pour drained meat and sauce into a 4 Quart Slow Cooker, Heat on HIGH setting 1 hour;stir, Reduce heat to a Warm setting

2. Serve over Corn Chips and top with Cheese,Sour Cream and Green Onions

Makes 8 cups  

~FootBall Trivia~

California’s Rose Bowl began in 1902

By now I’m sure you’ve heard of several ways you can help out the crisis in Haiti and many have acted upon this which is wonderful. If you are looking to show your support as well, I’ll include a list that may give you some ideas. In addition to this, I heard tonight that either UPS or FedEx is taking donations tomorrow (clothing, food, etc) and will be shipped for free. You might want to call them first to confirm.

I hope you don’t mind me listing an email I got. I know it isn’t the nicest looking thing since its been forwarded so many times, but its the thought that counts. Thank you!

Here is a list of people and organizations working on getting aid to Haiti.  Please pass it on.

>  
> Donate:
> Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Lakou New York , and
> MUDHA (Movement of Dominican Haitian
> Women) 
> are
> organizing an immediate delivery of 1st Aid Relief by
> traveling to the Dominican Haitian border  in order to
> reach affected areas.  
> For
> financial donations send tax-deductible donations
> to:
> IFCO/Haiti
> Relief 418 W. 145th Street , NY , NY  
> 10031
>  
> For
> supply donations drop off Monday/Wednesday 6:30 -
> 8:30 to:
> HAITIAN
> WOMEN FOR HAITIAN REFUGEES
> 335 Maple
> Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY  (Use rear entrance on
> Lincoln Road via St. Francis Church parking
> lot)
> 718.735.4660
> -or-
> Monday to
> Friday 11-4pm to:
> FLANBWAYAN
> HAITIAN LITERACY PROJECT
> 208
> Parkside Ave, 2nd Floor,
> Brooklyn , NY   11226
> 718.774.3037
>  
> FIRST AID SUPPLIES:
> §   Ace bandages,
> gauze pads, bandage and tape
> §   Water purification
> tablets and rehydration salts
> §   Antibiotic and
> antifungal cream (ie. Mycology)
> §   Anit-allergy
> medication (ie. Benadryl)
> §   Anti-parasite
> medication
> §   Tylenol,
> children’s Tylenol
> §   Cold and cough
> medicine (Guaifenesin)
> §   Diarrhea
> medication
> §   Eye
> drops
> §   Insect
> repellent
> §   Hydrogen
> peroxide
> §   Skin disinfectant
> spray
>  
> PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS:
> §   Toothpaste and
> toothbrushes
> §   Soap and
> deodorant
> §   Sanitary
> napkins
> §   Brand new
> underwear (Adult Small, Medium and Children’s
> sizes)
>  
> DRY GOODS: (No CANS
> pls!)
> §   Nutritional bars,
> fruit and nut bars, 
> §   Tea light candles
> and quality batteries (AA & D)
>  
> Radio Nago
> Radio Nago is a community
> based station serving the Haitian community for over 15
> years and is accepting dry food, toiletries, donations…
> Radio Nago 89.3 FM,  591 Ocean Ave. Apt 5F, Brooklyn,
> NY 11226
> Ph: 718 856 3092; ask for Mr. Aspilaire
>  
> Yélé Haiti
> http://www.yele.org to donate any amount
> -or-
> Text “YELE” to 501501; $5 charged to your cell
> bill
>
> Red Cross
> http://www.redcross .org
> -or-
> Text “HAITI” to “90999″ and $10 will be given
> automatically to the Red Cross
>
> Partners in Health
> www.pih.org
>
>
>  
> Oxfam
>
> www.oxfam.org
>
>  
> Doctors Without Borders
> (mobilizing on the ground
> medical efforts)
> http://www.doctorswithoutborders.com
>
> Americans trying to locate relatives:
> Department of State
> hotline: 1-888-407-4747
>
> News:
> NY Times Lede Blog (updated very
> frequently)
> http://thelede. blogs.nytimes. com/2010/ 01/12/gleaning-
> information- from-haiti- online/?hp
>
> CNN Twitter
> http://twitter. com/cnnbrk/ haiti
> http://twitter. com/cnnbrk/
>
> Twitpic photos from the ground
> http://twitpic. com/xvix7
> http://twitpic. com/photos/ LisandroSuero

So Danielle came up to me telling me that she was starving so I made her favorite Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly sandwich with no crust.. After she devoured her lunch she got out her jump rope which she has been practicing how to use it on a daily basis, If she can’t find it she will use what ever she can find, ie.. Vacuum cleaner hose, my scarf. Anyways  My mother had called to inquire about the new 2010 calendar that she made just for Danielle, As I called her over to talk to Grandma, Danielle was out of breath,I had the phone on speaker  and My Mother asked Danielle why she was so out of breath to which she said “ I have been jump roping 100 miles an hour for 20 days”… I love how my 5 year views the concept of time ..

* This recipe has been passed down to me and I wanted to share with you my readers a favorite in the MidwestMom Household* ~What you need~ 1).~(2) 8oz Packages of Cream Cheese

2).~1/2 cup of Sugar

3).~1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla

4)~2 Large Eggs

5)~  Graham Cracker Pie Crust

~ To Make~

Preheat oven to 350

* Make sure cream cheese is soft* Mix all ingredients together until creamy  pour into Pie Crust

Bake for 40 Minutes then Cool for 3 hours before slicing

Enjoy

Want to win the 5-pound World’s Largest Gummy Bear along with 18 other "curiously awesome" products from Vat19.com? Sure you do!( I did a review on this   CLICK HERE  to see The Giant Gummy Bear)

All you have to do to enter Vat19.com’s Cyber Monday Mega Giveaway (worth over $325!) is sign up for our twice monthly newsletter. You can sign up here.

The giveaway includes the following 19 products. You know, because we’re Vat19!

• World’s Largest Gummy Bear (Blue Raspberry)
• Giant Gummy Bear…on a Stick (Green Apple)
• The Original Slush Mug (Red)
• Morris the Memo Holder (Charcoal)
• Hershey’s Syrup Chocolate Scented Candle
• L’il DaVinci Store & Display Art Cabinet (8.5×11)
• Cassette Tape 4-Port USB Hub
• Crayon Coffee Mug (Custard Yellow)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Mini)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Standard)
• Money Clamp Front Pocket Wallet (Geneva Mesh)
• Guitar String Bracelet (Silver)
• TelePen Telescoping Keychain Pen
• Graviti Battery-Powered Pepper Mill
• Ambient Fire: The Ultimate Video Fireplace DVD
• Talking Photo Album
• BuckyBalls Magnetic Toy
• Operation Classic Game Pen
• Cash Stash Keychain Capsule

One email address will be chosen at random from all of the email addresses signed up for Vat19.com’s newsletter. The drawing will take place at 5:00 PM CST on Cyber Monday (November 30, 2009). This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.