Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs + Movie Night Entertaining #UnlockYourChef

I don’t know if I’m swooning more over creamy, velvety Castello cheese or the new Bradley Cooper movie, Burnt, that opened in theaters nationwide on October 30th. Which would you prefer, a hunk of Havarti or a sizzling hot chef?  I say YES to both!  Oh, and in addition to the movie night entertaining fun, there’s also a fabulous sweepstakes to enter – read to the bottom for details.

Bradley Cooper in Burnt

Castello® cheese is ready to “Unlock Your Inner Chef” and help you make everyday occasions delicious, indulgent and special. Bradly Cooper can do that too, but I think it will be easier to get your hands on Castello® cheese – it’s available in the fine cheese section of a variety of retailers nationwide.  Making cheese since 1893, Castello brings both innovation and tradition to the art of cheese making – Havarti, Blue cheese and Crème cheese are their specialty.

Castello Havarti with Jalapeno Cheese

Plan to go see Burnt movie on your next girl’s night out, that way you can drool at all the yumminess (and I don’t just mean food) without offending your date. In the meantime, I created a delicious appetizer recipe that will heat up your movie night entertaining at home – Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs.

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs

close up gavartiThis recipe uses the Havarti with Jalapeno Castello® cheese. The mild, butter taste of Havarti is kicked up with spicy jalapenos and is yummy served on a cheese board in cubes or ooey-gooey and marvelously melty in my easy appetizer recipe.

 

The Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs are super simple to make and take only five minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake.  Basically, by the time your “coming attraction” previews are over, these melted cheese stuffed rolls are ready to serve.

Jalapeno Havarti Bombs

Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Bombs Recipe

  • 6 ounces (approximately) Havarti with Jalapeno Castello® cheese, cut into 10 cubes
  • 1 can refrigerator biscuits, 10 per package (regular size, not “grand” size)
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup crushed tortilla chips
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fine in a food processor or mini-chopper
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 10 jalapeno slices

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
  2. Slightly flatten each biscuit with fingers. Place a cheese cube in the middle and wrap the biscuit dough around the cube, sealing the edges. Roll between palms to make uniform ball shape. Repeat with remaining cheese and biscuits.
  3. Roll the cheese wrapped dough with your hands to make a ball shape. Complete this step with all the dough and cheese before going on to the next step.
  4. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave, approximately 20 seconds. Set aside.
  5. In another small bowl, combine the crushed tortilla chips, Parmesan and dried cilantro.
  6. Roll each cheese bomb in butter and then roll or dip in the crumb mixture
  7. Place each cheese bomb on the baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart. Lightly press a jalapeno ring into the top of each
  8. Bake on the center rack for 14 to 16 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
  9. Makes 10.

Castello and Burnt SweepstatkesVisit the Castello & Burnt site for more delicious inspiration and recipe ideas inspired by the film Burnt — and also to enter the Unlock Your Inner Chef sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes. Prizes include a private cooking class for two and a year’s worth of Castello cheese.

So, what is your favorite thing to snack on during movie night at home? Who is your favorite hunky, heart throb actor? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

Favorite Gear #Giveaway – Fitness Skort, Run Shirt & Fuel Belt

SAMSUNGMy running swag runneth over and I would like to share some of it with you! There’s nothing like slaying a workout wearing a new piece of fabulous fitness clothing, that’s true for me anyway. I always seem to feel stronger, faster and more motivated when I have a fun, functional and good-fitting outfit on – this may explain why I can’t close the drawers on my dresser!  I’m giving away a few piece of great fitness gear that were given to me, but I just can’t wear for one reason or another. I would LOVE for you to LOVE one of these brands as much as I do. Everything is new, with tags, etc. and so on. Enter for one piece or all of them, just know that I only have the sizes shown (Smalls and a one-size-fits-most) and it is shipping directly from me, so there’s no negotiating on the size. Really sorry that I don’t have a more diverse selection, but it is what it is.  Oh, and by the way, all three pieces look cute together – so if you’re a size Small or have a friend who is, enter for everything! Just add some running shoes, and you’re ready to rock the next race in style!

yellowman ymx tribal running skirt

First up for grabs is a Green Tribal-print Athletic Skort from YMX by Yellowman. I really love this skirt. First, the bold, unique print is sure to get you loads of compliments and, secondly, it’s marvelously flattering and modest enough to wear when you have a workout followed by errands. No one wants to see me in the grocery store reaching for cereal off the bottom shelf wearing my super-tiny running shorts. Here I am rockin’ my YMX skort:

SAMSUNG

Here’s the description for the skort from YMX by Yellowman:

“This green tribal-print athletic skort combines the appearance of a skirt with an attached short lining. Features gusset to promote full motion, and a 1 1/4 comfort waistband. Perfect for running, hiking, walking, fitness and workout.”

Please note, I only have size Small – which I would guess, from the looks of it, fits a size 6 – 8.  For a point of reference, I have this skirt in a XS which seems to fit a 2-4. Whoever wins this can be twinsies with me!

mizuno inspire tee light grey

Second up for grabs is a women’s Inspire Tee in grey by Mizuno Running. Features Mizuno DryLite™ moisture management technology to keep your body dry so that you can enjoy running in comfort and style.  Other features include anti-abrasion labeling (also good thing in sweaty weather) and and V-neck.  This photo makes it look like a tight compression shirt; however, it’s not — although it does have a shaped, figure-flattering cut (not super loose and boxy).

Please note, I only have size Small in this shirt.  I have several running shirts in this exact style and size and I feel like it runs a little small to size. But, then again I have medium-ish shoulders.

fuel belt

Third for the taking is a Fuel Belt brand Super-stretch Waist Pack in black.  I don’t see a size on the package, pretty sure it is one-size-fits-most. Package says “lightweight, fully-adjustable stretch mesh pocket.”  The zippered pocket looks plenty big to carry along snacks, gels, salt pills or whatever else you need on a run.

If you’d like to enter, just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter app below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Endorphin Warrior Bracelet, A Feel-Good Giveaway!

UNBREAKABLE! Sixteen pull ups in a row, callouses to prove it!

As part of my recent boondoggle to run the Hood to Coast Relay, I was gifted with a bunch of fabulous swag by running and fitness related companies. One of the goodies that really made an impression on me was the warrior training bracelet by EndorphinWarrior.com.

I really appreciate the fact that this accessory isn’t too ‘girly’ (in fact, there’s no reason a guy wouldn’t dig one of his own) and is ready to withstand all the salty sweat I can dish up whether running, CrossFitting, paddle boarding, racing or just sitting on the porch reflecting over the day’s accomplishments. Made from natural leather, this snap-close bracelet is developing a nice patina and proving to get better and better with age. Plus, it’s so lightweight and comfy that even a girl as fussy about stuff on her wrists as me will hardly even feel that it’s there.

But the coolest thing about this bracelet is that I get to give one to you!

You could win an awesome bracelet like this!

One of you lucky readers gets to pick from a selection of positive and powerful keywords such as focus, persevere, breathe, strength, believe, courage, relentless and more for their bracelet. The selected word is engraved on a nickel-finished metal plate and serves as a reminder of what drives and defines you. I chose the word unbreakable to be a visual prompt to keep me from going to that dark, dark place in the last quarter of a race where I am filled with self-doubt and want to give up.

Need a little motivation of your own? Just enter the Endorphin Warrior Bracelet giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway