Jarlsberg Pork Cutlets

I used to enter quite a few more recipe contests before my blog went to the dogs...so I'm back at it. Jarlesberg USA and Kitchen Play have teamed up to offer "29 Ways to Leap into Jarlsberg Dip". Not only do I LOVE cheese, but I LOVE dip. Combine the two and I'm in heaven. So I jumped at the chance for this.

The challenge was a creative serving suggestion. I picked it up at the store with no clue on what I was going to do with it. I had already defrosted pork chops for tonight's dinner and figured I would open up the Jarlsberg Dip to see what it had to offer.

I melted about half of the dip in the microwave, per the instructions on the package. It created an ooey gooey cheesy goodness that I figures would be great on my chops. Instead of dipping in egg, I dipped in cheese dip! After cheese came the breadcrumbs and I seared it on the stove. Into the oven it went while I made up the salad.

Cheese is good on anything and Jarlsberg is no exeption.

To celebrate the arrival of Jarlsberg Dip, they are also hosting a giveaway on our facebook page. Simply “like” Jarlsberg USA on facebook and let them know in the comments on our giveaway post over there. Better yet, give them your ideas for using Jarlsberg Dip!

The giveaway includes a tailgate tote stocked with:

• Jarlsberg Lite Cheese
• new Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
• Snofrisk (a Norwegian style cream cheese)
• crispbreads
• honey crèmes
• honey vinegar

I was compensated for purchasing and writing about the cheese dip.

Valentine's Day

I've never been a huge fan of this holiday. SFK and I have been together nearly 6 years and we typically feel pressure to go out to a fancy dinner and eat lots of chocolate. Christina from Hungry Meets Healthy shares a similar feeling and thought it would be fun to do a blogger swap ti make the 'holiday' a tad more enjoyable.

When I told SFK about my new valentine named Tony, he asked if I was cheating. Once he saw the three pound bag of gummy bears, that went out the window.

Obvious why I got this one....

Izzy got a new toy! 

Charleston goodies. One of my favorite places! And who knew Benne wafers were so good!

We got quite a few goodies! I'm feeling like what I sent was a bit weak now, but hope they enjoy it!

Pittie Pack Walk

When we took on our first foster dog, Mr. Peeps this year, I googled "dog foster blog" and came across Love and a Leash. From there, I started reading Two Pitties in the City, Our Waldo Bungie,  Two Grad Students and a Pittie and Pittiefull Love, among others. Are you sensing a theme?? Sure, I'd probably read Two Grads and a Lab or Two Huskies in the City but I don't think they exist. Those that seem to have the same passion and enthusiasm for dogs are all pit lovers and fosters. So what, I have a lab mix. Big deal. Guess what?? She likes pitbulls and so do I.

Inspired by Izzy's training issues and these blog's local "pack walks" that they often wrote about, I figured it was about time to join one. After taking a look, there were a few in the area, but nothing completely local. I put the word out and found two awesome "pack leaders" to join on with me, creating Positive Pittie Pack Walk. Today was our first walk. Three labs and a bunch of pitties. We had a great time, Izzy was a bit out of control, but just hyper and excited. Hoping she'll be calmer next time!

Adoptable Star http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21766973

Kip

Beau

Typical Izzy...bouncing.
Picture courtesy of Chris Langston (chrislangston.tumbr.com)

Statue of Liberty action with Gracie
Picture courtesy of Chris Langston (chrislangston.tumbr.com)

Miss Minnie!

Adoptable Noel http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21809866

Goofy 

Adoptable Alesha http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21109393

Adoptable Amigo http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21809889

The Pack

The Aftermath

Nose Work and Thundershirts

I have no clue what this blog is about anymore. I love food. I love Izzy. So until I figure out what I'm doing, I will just continue to share my two loves with you.

Tonight, Izzy and I went for a run. I use the term "run" loosely. According to Nike Runner, my stats were pretty weak tonight, so I won't go there. When we came back, we noticed a package from Amazon.com. It was our Natural Balance Duck and Sweet Potato treat roll!

Since we've been hard at work on Izzy's reactivity, we've been giving her hotdogs. I've always been into feeding her healthy treats, so I just couldn't bare to pump her full of nitrates anymore. I think we have found our substitute! After some nosework fun in the living room, on went the Thundershirt so I could make dinner.

Sometimes Izzy dodges the shirt and I think its because she doesn't want to sleep. She'd rather be bouncing off the walls. Two minutes with the shirt on and there she was...

I like to call this Thundershirt drunk. Makes for one enjoyable evening!

PS...how gray is her muzzle?? She is 2 and looks like an old lady!

Slacker and Slow Cooker

I haven't really been slacking. Just busy. I obviously still eat. Been working. Still hang with the dog. Still working. Taking pictures. Mostly of dogs. Back to work. You get the idea. When I feel like being a slacker, the crockpot is my best friend. Home from work at 9 and dinner ready by 9:30! Much better than grabbing takeout.

I opened the freezer last night and noticed a package of ribs had a slice taken out of the plastic wrap and was beginning to get freezer burn. Yuck! I pulled them out and decided I had to make them or they would be trash. Ribs are a summer food for me. I guess they're also a football food though. And since I couldn't enjoy the Superbowl goodies due to severe anxiety over my Patriots, I figured why not. I made butternut squash to go along to help me winterize it.

Recipe adapted from About.com. 

Ingredients: 

• Pork rib end (or whatever other kind of ribs you like)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and rub over the surface of the ribs. Place ribs in slow cooker standing on edge, with the meat side out. Cook on low for about 8 hours. 

Remove ribs from crockpot. Preheat broiler to high. Pour BBQ sauce over ribs and spread evenly. Broil until the ends get a bit crispy and delicious (about 5 mins).