Superbowl Commercial Rundown

So – I have to admit, I am a little surprised that the “Superbowl Commercial Rundown” is the blog post that appears from my most recent hiatus – but what can you do. I spent the Superbowl in a hotel room in South Beach, catching up on work, and preparing for three days of meetings. While it may not seem like the best way to watch the Superbowl – I did have some good wine and a little Italian risotto to keep me going. Plus the TV was huge! So while I was catching up with work, I made sure to pay close attention to the commercials. Because, after all, isn’t that why people watch the game? Ha! So here are my top 10 – as well those that just didn’t come close!

Top 5: MOST EMOTIONAL
1. Budweiser #bestbuds puppy & horse: I’m sorry, does it get any cuter than a puppy not wanting to leave its horse friend. Nope!
2. Budweiser “I’m Coming Home”: Best part of this one was that the Sgt was a real person (not just a made up story) and they let him attend the game!
3. Coca Cola Multi National #AmericaIsBeautiful: In a time with so many cultural wars, this was beautiful
4. U2 (Red): Love Bono. Love that he continues to support his cause. Love that Bank of America was willing to support AIDS awareness
5. Toyota Truck Cancer Awareness: I think it is special that Toyota spent so much of the commercial time focused on cancer, not on the actual truck.
Runner Up: Weather Tech – American Made: I cannot support American-made products enough!

TOP 5: FUNNY
- Seinfeld skit: Loved seeing Jerry Seinfeld again!
- Volkswagon – Wings and Rainbows: come on…the ending – pretty funny
- Pistachios (the double commercial): Clever strategy with the two part commercial
- David Beckham – Bodywear for H&M: Who didn’t love this one!
- Dannon Oikos Yogurt – Full House guys: MEMORIES! Only piece of feedback – I wish it was a longer commercial
Runner up: John Krasinski for E-surance: Very clever being the first post-game commercial and talking about how much cheaper it was!


Didn’t love:
- Carmax – clapping: Lame
- Audi – Compromise – Scary dog: It is hard to make a puppy look scary – but they did.
- Toyota Hylander – Muppets: Terry Crews…you are better than that!
- VaporZone E-cigarettes: While I was fine with the implied “Volkswagon Rainbows and John Stamos’ yogurt spill on his pants”… could have done without the implied “jacking off”
- Chobani Yogurt with the Bear attaching the store: just overall lame.

Lastly – cannot say enough about the half time show. Way to rock, Bruno Mars. Way. To. Rock.

Happy Birthday Molly

While the general direction of my blog has changed recently (less of a "Look What We Did Today" and more towards "Life, Opinions and Look What I Ate Today"), I still believe sharing special moments with friends and family is exciting, helpful (mass communication) and relevant. It creates the ultimate journal of sorts, categorizing events in your life with both text and pictures. On my list of things to do is look into a company that will "blog to print" and get all this good stuff into a photo book. I would say blogging is the current, popular form of scrapbooking, which I have done since about the age of 12!!!

So that was my opinion... and here is my fun event to share...

This past Saturday we celebrated Molly's second birthday. Hallie and Chase hosted a Popsicle-themed party complete with a bounce house. Y'all know I love to host a good themed-party. And just as much I love attending one. In general, I love creativity, whether I am doing it or appreciating the work of others. The festivities started with a "Popsicle" invitation and went from there. 

Not one to miss out on any sort if dress-up opportunity, Matt and I made coordinating Happy Birthday T-shirts. (Because don't most people do things like this for a two year olds birthday party?) You might recall the Minnie and Micky T-shirts for Blake's first birthday party! Needless to say they were a hit and if there was an award for "most committed guests to the theme, I am pretty sure we would have won! 

My favorite part was the gift request: an unwrapped toy for Molly to donate to Toys for Tots. I love that Hallie and Chase decided family gifts were enough and that the rest can go to the less fortunate. I love buying gifts for the little ones in our life and I love buying gifts for the less fortunate, so either way it is a win!!!

So in a nutshell, the party was great, the company was great, the wagon of Toys for Tots was full and I captured some great pics for the special family. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday. 

Happy Birthday Molly!!!

Lunde (no carb) Lasagna

This little number has proven to be quite delicious. As much as it nearly killed me to make a lasagna without pasta. Wait, what am I saying ... (disclosure) I have never actually made a homemade lasagna before (all Italians gasp here). But it did make me really sad to initially think of eating a lasagna without pasta. Turns out the combo of zucchini and eggplant with Matt's incredible Tomato Passata hits the spot every.time. We have made this little guy about 3 times now - once making enough to freeze - kind of like our very own all natural, paleo friendly freezer meal. 

Breakfast for dinner (Sausage & Butternut Squash Frittata)

Breakfast for dinner is an all time fav. Why? Several reasons, and yes I will list them for you:

1. Breakfast meals are usually easier to make than dinner entrees
2. If you haven't had a good brunch in awhile it tastes SO good
3. You get to eat more calories for dinner than you do for breakfast so you can really dive right in!
4. If you get to eat pancakes with your breakfast-dinner meal, your food coma seamlessly transitions right into bed time

I would imagine there are way more than 4 reasons - but this is a good start. Matt accidentally tripled the sausage amount - but who is going to complain about that? Next time though we might stick with suggested serving of sausage so we can taste the rest of the frittata.

Did you know that this is a) What a Butternut Squash looks like and b)You can roast it. I mean, seriously - was I living under a rock! So many new foods. 

Buon Appetito!!!