The 2 Day Slow-Cooked Incredible, Delectable, Cherry New York Style Cheesecake

So last night, I decided to test-run Brad's birthday "cake." Brad lovesss cheesecake, which would never be my first choice for a birthday, but to each his own. So since he's turning the big 3-0, I figured I'd make it myself and make sure it was approved. So Brad technically gets 2 birthday "cakes." Lucky birthday boy.

Anyway, I never heard of making a cheesecake in a slow cooker, so I figured, what the hay, let's give it a whirl.

So, first, I went to Stew Leonard's. To get the good stuff.

Then: in a bowl, mix 2 packages of 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup white sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Now, this is serious, and by far the most difficult part. Mix this until creamy smooth. Not easy to do. Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature; makes life easier.

Once it's as smooth as a pick-up artist, add 2 eggs, mixing them in one at a time to make sure they're completely incorporated. Then, mix in one large egg white. Next, pour in 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (never skimp on price with vanilla extract!) and 2/3 cup sour cream. I don't own a springform pan, so I just buy a pre-prepared graham cracker crust. Pour the mixture into the crust and set your slow cooker on high for 2 hours. Let it sit in the slow cooker (turn to off) for another 30-60 minutes until it begins to set. Then, take it out and let it cool completely. Patience, my friend. Put the plastic lid from the pre-prepared crust back on top, and put it in the fridge for at least 6 hours.

Holy cheesecake Batman! So rich, creamy, and tasty! I don't even really like cheesecake, but this is definitely more pudding-like with a cheesecake taste. True New York Style. Pour some cherries on top and enjoy. Oohhh la la!

Fighting the Common Cold, T-4 Days 'Til Marathon!

Today is Tuesday.

On Sunday, I will (hopefully) be able to call myself a marathoner.

Hasn't really hit me yet.

But, I'm sick. Boo. Common cold, sick. Stuffy/runny nose, sore throat, headaches... nothing major, but nothing that makes me want to run. I've been on a mission to consume vitamin C, swallow some cold medicine, and sleeeeeep! Because I will NOT let anything get in my way come Saturday!

So, it's nap time. Curl up with the puppy, some food network TV, and a warm blanket.

VCTC

Bradford and I are now Purple People Eaters.

Or, members of the Van Cortland Track Club. Whose color is purple.

Figured we've become pretty serious about our running lately, so why not make it:

1) social
2) coached
3) discounted

So, Tuesday night speed workouts at the track, coached (followed by pizza)

Thursday night tempo runs (followed by beer)

Saturday morning long runs (followed by breakfast)

Plus, added perk of various discounts to local businesses, race fees, and entrance to summer BBQs, January awards nights, et cetera. Plus, maybe make a few friends along the way who are fitness minded as well.

Here's the webpage: (vctc.org)

And in other major accomplishment news: we ran our last 5 miler. Now, it's nothing more than 3 miles until Saturday when we attempt the insane: the 26.2 journey. And, I hooked up my new kindle tonight (c/o Brad's family!) and purchased "Run" by Dean Karnazes using the amazon gift certificate. Awesome. So inspired. But first, I need to finish "Marathon" by Hal Higdon, the ultimate training guide. And then watch the running movie I ordered off of Netflix, "Running America."

Ok, yes, I need some last minute motivation. But, I'm totally stoked!!! Go Purple People Eaters!

Pulled Pork Masterpiece

Brad called this the best pulled pork he ever had.

My dad scarfed it down.

My uncle Jimbo said, "If you want to quit your job, maybe you could have a career in BBQ in NY."

And I'm going to be kind, benevolent, magnanimous enough to share the recipe.

So here goes: the best pulled pork you'll ever eat. And no, it's not from Tennessee, Kansas City, Charleston, or Texas.

1 pork butt/shoulder. (I used an 8 lb shoulder)
3-4 large onions, sliced
2 cups of ginger ale.
1 large container of Sweet Baby Ray's honey BBQ sauce.

Yup, that's it.

So, take the onion and layer it on the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the pork butt, put more onion on top. Pour the 2 cups of ginger ale over everything. Set it on low, and go to work.

I let it cook for 10 hours.

Then, the meat will fall right off the bone. Shred it in a separate bowl. Strain out the onions. Dump out the now fatty sauce.

Put the shredded meat and onions back in the pot. Add 1 large container of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce (delicious!) Mix it all together, and put it on low for 1-2 hours.

Serve on a fresh hoagie roll with cole slaw and extra BBQ sauce. Insanely, unbelievably amazing. Oh man. Soooo good. Neil Diamond was definitely singing about this recipe!

3 Miles, 22 Degrees, Feels Like: 7 Degrees

Brad, Shea-dog, Jamie. Completed. Yup, Yup. True Story.

Back to the Grind. The Coffee Grind

Iced coffee in a magic bullet--yum! Ice, milk, coffee... simple. And makes going back to work that much more bearable. So let me take a minute to discuss Christmas gifts. Basically, my dream of avoiding a wedding is one step closer, as I received everything I could possibly imagine at a bridal shower for Christmas this year. (Except maybe a heavy duty mixer, which I really don't need right now.) Which is greaaaaattt!!! So, I have decided to cook my little heart away. First, I slow cooked some delectable chili. Then I chopped up some egg salad and made ten sandwiches for lunch this week. And tomorrow, I'm whipping up some pulled pork for the Orange Bowl. I will be sure to post the pulled pork, but let's just say that the chili was even better than I imagined. My new slow cooker browns the meat in the very pot that is slow-cooked, so I started by sauteing the onions, peppers and hot chilies, then added the meat and spices. Browned it all together, then added the tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, and beans. Awesomeness. So, I now have the following arsenal: steamer, blender, food processor, magic bullet, and slow cooker. And Brad got a pretzel maker that we tried out yesterday and was very cool. Game on!

Vacation: Running and Nashin' It Up, AND WE BOTH WON THE LOTTERY FOR THE NYC HALF MARATHON IN MARCH!!!

So Merry Christmas to us, winning the lottery to run the NYC Half. Start in the park, run through the Square, and u at the Seaport... pretty cool! But, as for the vacation... First, we ran 20 miles on Christmas Eve. And we DID it. Awesome. Then, Christmas at the Cositores'. Then, the next day, Brad and I went to go visit his family in Franklin, Tennessee (right outside of Nashville) during the holiday vacation. We stuffed ourselves full of delicious BBQ care of Hog Heaven, Whitts, and Jack's. We went to a hockey game to see the preds beat the Minnesota Wild in an awesome shoot-out. We honky-tonked and line danced at Wild Horse Saloon, and had some JD at Losers after eating dinner at Winners. And, of course, we ran. First, a nice, easy 5 miler in the rain followed by some ice skating and wings at McDougals. (Free ice cream!). Then, the 10 miler around the streets of Franklin, on a beautiful, warmer, sunny day. Saw the Parthenon, learned that Nashville is the "Athens of the South." Had some Sweet CeCe's Frozen Yogurt. Had a blast. Nashville is an awesome city--small town feel, but a lot of events. We were there during a crazy busy time, considering there was the Zac Brown band in town, the Music City Bowl between Mississippi State and Wake Forest, and of course, the Battle of the Bands and New Year's Eve shindigs. Driving there was a little more than 15 hours, with puppy in tow, through the rambling nothingness of West Virginia and Kentucky. Driving back, we took 81 S the entire way to switch it up, and ended in Tabernacle to celebrate Christmas with Brad's other family. We also ran, again, another 10 miler. Then, we ended with a super fun 80s themed New Year's party, tighty whities and all. Loved it! photo tour: "The Melissa" at Athens
Hog Heaven, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. BBQ!
Temple to a Goddess
Hog Heaven 'Que
Honky Tonkin'
The Fam
preds, in awesome seats!
pbr truck
Titans Stadium, and still flooded in background!
JD Sunset
Open Tennessee highway
Wonderful and Wild
Getting Ready for Battle of the Bands + Music City Bowl + New Year's!
So The Training Continues, with us continuing our taper for the next 2 weeks until Marathon Saturday!!! So proud of me and 'ford. We rock!