Pink United

Join the fight to end breast cancer!

As the world's leading breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is committed to ending breast cancer forever. On October 16, 2010, I will join thousands of others playing a part in the annual Komen Dallas Race for the Cure^®. It’s a 5k run/walk event to raise money for breast cancer.

My goal is to raise at least $200 this year. Please make a donation to help me reach that goal. Online donations are simple, and the donation page is secure. Please go to my fundraising page to make a tax-deductible donation. Or, you can join me and team Pink United for the 5K run/walk at North Park Mall.

The deadline to have my donations collected is by November 12, 2010. By making a donation on my behalf, you are supporting local breast cancer education, screening, treatment, and outreach along with international research that will someday lead us to a world without breast cancer.

Thank you for your support of this cause.

If you have questions or need help please don't hesitate to call the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure office at 214-750-RACE.

Midori Sushi

Here comes another restaraunt post! This is one of these places the my wonderful husband and I accidentally came across. Midori Sushi in Irving, near the Tom Thumb and Four Seasons. The prices are great and the sushi is delicious! The atmosphere is casual, which I think is what help keep the prices lower than many other places we've tried. The have a lunch buffet that is not bad, but of course it is mainly rolls and not as much variety as we pick ourselves. However, it includes salad, pot stickers, vegetable tempura, mini cheesecake bites, and a few other items - so for the price, we can't complain. At dinner however, we pick a variety of items from the salmon and stick crab, to ordering their Spicy Tuna Tower which is absolutely one of our favorites! Plus, you get a bowl of Miso soup and they bring each person a free "daily special" piece. And what makes it even better for us is we can go, enjoy dinner, AND watch the Rangers game all in one.

Finally, there is another location over off 360 that is nice as well, but I still prefer the original. Yum yum!

It is a shame they are not open on Sunday because I could definitely go for some sushi now!

OMG Cinnamon Toast Cupcakes

I've never been a huge cake person, as I prefer brownies, ice cream, cookies, and cheesecake, but these are freaking amazing - FREAKING AMAZING! Not only is the frosting moist and creamy, but so is the cupcake. They are sweet without being too sweet and it is almost impossible to eat just one. Consider yourself warned.

Recipe courtesy Cupcakes from the Cake Mix Doctor by Ann Byrn.

INGREDIENTS

CAKE

1 pkg (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1 pkg (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/4 C milk
3/4 C vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 Tbl + 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbl sugar

CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
4 Tbl butter, softened
3 C powdered sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Mix cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs, and 1 Tbl cinnamon. Fill lined muffin pan about 3/4 full. Bake 18-22 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool prior to frosting.

Mix cream cheese and butter in a large bowl, slowly add powdered sugar and cinnamon until completely combined.

Mix 1 Tbl sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon for sprinkling.

Use cinnamon cream cheese frosting and them top with cinnamon sugar mixture. Eat and enjoy!

Orange Julius

Alright, who remembers these? I know I sure do! We used to go to the mall and beg our parents to get one, they were always so yummy and refreshing. Then, my sister some how got a recipe when she was in high school and we would make them all the time - in orange, lemon, and any other flavors we could. Then for some reason, we stopped and the recipe was lost.

Until a few days ago anyhow. While watching Food Network (as is on so often in our house), Alton Brown was talking about them - and the craving hit me, so I searched high and low for a recipe, and came across this one. Yum! And now, thanks to blogger, I am going to immortalize it so I will never lose it again.

INGREDIENTS

6 oz Frozen OJ concentrate
1 C water

1 C milk

1/3 - 1/2 C powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)

1 tsp Vanilla extract
10-12 ice cubes (or more depending on their size)

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients in a blender. My special trick was to then put the mixture in my ice cream maker and bring it to a much better consistency. Yum yum!

It's been a while, so here you go!