Anne Burrell's Sausage Ragu

I love a nice big bowl of hearty pasta, especially on nights like last night when it's cold outside. Since we didn't have any plans yesterday other than watching football and carving pumpkins, it was the perfect time to try a new Anne Burrell recipe. Be warned, you need at least 4 hours to complete this dish. I set aside 5 just in case. It was so worth it. The sauce has so much flavor that I was tempted to eat it right out of the pot with a spoon.

 Sausage Ragu is in her new cookbook Cook Like a Rock Star.

I was lucky enough to win a copy from my local radio station when she was in the area for a signing.

 Hours of cooking with lots of TLC.

Topped with delicious cheese and ready to eat.

I normally share recipes online but since this one isn't listed on Foodnetwork.com there are probably some copyright issues. You can get a copy of her cookbook on Amazon or I've seen it at Costco and Target.

Bake Sale Today! Please bid for Kisses for Katie Charity

Bake is today and open for bidding. Please bid to benefit a great cause.
http://runningricig.blogspot.com/2011/10/bake-sale-open-for-bidding.html

Bake Sale this Sunday- Toasted Hazelnut, White Chocolate/Chocolate Chip Cookies

Just to prepare you, I'm going to be obnxious about this and remind everyone several times over the weekend, but it's for a great cause. Kari at Running Ricig is hosting a bake sale to benefit Kisses for Katie. I'm auctioning a delicious batch of Toasted Hazelnut, White Chocolate/Chocolate Chip Cookies. The sale begins this Sunday at 10am on Kari's website so mark your calendars people. There are going to be many yummy items up for bidding and I really hope you'll participate.

 Don't they look good? You know you want some.

Plus, they freeze really well

 so you can enjoy them for several weeks.

Trail Mix

If I go too long without eating, I get very cranky so I like to have a snack readily available if it looks like my next meal is too far in the future. Trail mix is one of my favorite snacks to keep in my desk at work. It lasts forever and is easy to make at home. I tend not to buy ready-made trail mix at the store. It usually contains a couple things I don't like or is too salty for me. Plus, it's cheaper in the long run to make my own and I can control the ingredients.

This mix contains:
Dried apricots
Raw walnuts
Lightly salted cashews
Banana chips cooked in coconut oil
Dark chocolate covered raisins
Lightly salted almonds

What do you like in your trail mix?
 I'm a fan of sesame sticks and Chinese crackers too.

Couch to 5K Week 7

This is how I felt last night when we started Week 7. I felt like my pace was so slow and the 25 minutes without a rest of running was really intimidating. But, I did it. 25 minutes went by a lot faster than I thought it would and I'm so glad I didn't give in and walk. The 5K is just a few weeks away and I really want to be able to run the whole thing.
I've started running with my iPod to motivate me. Any good songs I should add?

Hey, It's OK Tuesday!

I'm linking up with Amber for "Hey, It's OK Tuesday"

"Hey, It's OK....."

To already be listening to Christmas music. If Costco can start displaying ornaments, then I can load my iPod with Joy to the World and The First Noel.

To have cried a little watching Kim Kardashian's wedding episode. I lost my dad before I got married so I know how rough it is not to have him to walk you down the aisle.

To purchase enough cans of pumpkin to stock a bomb shelter. I just can't get enough. Yum!

To be too scared to go to Halloween Horror Nights. I went once and will forever be traumatized.

To be proud I'm training for a 5K but hate every minute of the actual running.

To wear the same outfits every week to work because it's comfortable and I don't have to think about what to wear.

To sleep in on the weekends and then take an afternoon nap. This is why I don't have kids yet.

If you'd like to partcipate, check out Amber's blog http://whisperingwriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/hey-its-okay-tuesday_25.html

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

This was my first time working with yeast outside of using a bread machine. I promised myself I wouldn't get frustrated which was a good thing because my first yeast packet didn't bubble like it was supposed to so I started over by proofing it first then adding it to the other ingredients. Second time was a charm and all the other steps was a cinch after that. I used a white chocolate ganache for the frosting rather than what the recipe called for but next time I'm going to try the butterscotch glaze.

 These taste even better than they look.

 My cute little dough ball.

 Dough ball rising just like it's supposed to.

 I added pecans before rolling it.

 Hot from the oven and ready for white chocolate goodness.

So yummy.

 I had to stop myself from eating the whole pan by myself.

The recipe I used is from Sugar Plum.