Zilch Cocktail Mixers

The lovely ladies over at Zilch Mixers sent me some samples of this brilliant product and I am happy to help them spread the word. Like many housewives, I love my 5pm cocktail but, when I'm watching what I eat in order to keep my backside from getting any bigger, drinking takes a backseat. Did you know that the average margarita has 550 calories?

Ouch.

So I have a secret, ladies...I've discovered a drink mix that has ZERO calories and ZERO sugar. Can you guess what it is!?

Zilch Cocktail Mixers!

Zilch is sweetened using a tiny amount of aspartame. Did you know a can of diet soda contains five times the amount of aspartame as one Zilch margarita? This mixer is simple to make; just add water and your favorite tequila. And even better, the margaritas I made for myself (yes, I had more than one heehee) were really good....and seriously, I'm not just saying that. This mix is so good, I'd drink it even without the tequila! Even The Hubs liked them. And when a cocktail is guilt-free (meaning I'm not feeling my ass getting bigger each time I take a sip), the drink tastes even better. YUM!

So, thank you, Zilch, for making my nights a little more fun...and my backside a little smaller!

Music I'm Embarrassed to Love

I am a big fan of 90's rap and R&B. That doesn't really sound strange but, for some, seeing a white, 30-something mom of two jam to Snoop Dog might be a little disturbing. I love me some Snoop and Dre, especially when I'm at the gym! I even have a "white girl gangsta rap" station on my Pandora (go search for it!). I was at the gym today, looking at all the other housewives around me, wondering what they were listening to right at that moment....I bet it wasn't Eazy E like I was. Hehe.


But I won't subject you to that poragraphic smut. Instead, here's one of my favorite slow jams of the 90s....



So Into You by Tamia

Tuna Bites? No Thanks.

Do you ever get "sick" of food? I know this is kind of a crazy thing to be coming from me -- a foodie and food writer but, when I'm at home wandering around my kitchen wondering "what should I eat for lunch?" my lack of creativity gets annoying.

I was at the grocery store last weekend, mindlessly walking the aisles, picking up the same damn food I always get, when I came upon this new display called....wait for it.....Tuna Bites. I'd never heard of this product before, but I do enjoy a canned salmon salad (with red peppers and a soy & white vinegar dressing mmmm) about once a week. So, when I saw these little cans, I thought what the hell.

Yesterday afternoon I chopped up my romaine heart, added a few roasted garbanzo beans (straight from the oven sprinkled with a little garlic salt and olive oil - it's fantastic) and popped open my little can of Tuna Bites -- call me lame but I was kind of excited at the anticipation.

Excited about Tuna Bites? Yea, that is pretty typical of a stay-at-home housewife. We're crazy exciting, I know.

Anyway, so I popped open the can and...um, how do I say this?

Ok I'll just come right out and say it: it smelled like cat food.

It LOOKED like cat food! I was totally taken back by the shape: tuna...squares? Tuna...mush? Ehhhh, not sure about this but hey, I paid for this, so help me, I'm going to taste one.

I tasted one all by itself because, if they were gross, I wasn't about to ruin my perfectly delish salad on that bullshit. And I am not a picky eater -- I will eat almost ANYTHING put in front of me, except liver, lamb and oysters. Pretty much everything else is fair game!

But I digress....you can add Tuna Bites to that very short list. They're gross. I was chewing while trying to convince myself that it was food -- real, eatable people food. It was all mind over matter, right?

It's tuna, Tasha. Just chew it. It's not *that* bad. There are starving people in Japan!

I'm eating cat food.

Shush! This is wonderful, protein-filled tuna fish! You like it.

I'm eating cat food.

Just put it in your salad! Add some dressing! It will fill you up and make you feel healthy and satisfied!

I'm eating cat food.

Nope. I couldn't do it. I threw that cat food away. I will not being opening the second can of Tuna Bites that I bought, either. Maybe my cat, Nemo, would like it? Or maybe I should send the other can to Japan?

The Red Ball 2011 - Picture & Coverage Update!

I am such a lucky foodie to be able to attend this event - I look forward to it all year. In my opinion, it's one of the best culinary events in Philadelphia, and it's all for a great cause. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show....

And try not to drool on your keyboard!

Guests bid on an item in the silent auction - there were lots of Philly-themed items, wine, jewelry and even vacations...

Do you see what I mean about ambiance? When the Red Cross calls this a BALL, they really mean it! Every girl wants to attend a ball, right?
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Here's some of my favorite shots of the beautiful people - they were everywhere...

Hurry and smile before you ride by!

Awww, doesn't my hubby look cute? Here he is waiting in line with me for the photo booth.

Cocktails + carousel = pretty darn fun

Beauty Queens! Thanks for posing, ladies!

Photo booth master...

Lovely ladies in red browsing the silent auction....

Funtown Productions had a LIVE painter! So amazing to watch this....

And my favorite people picture of them all is......

Tah-da! See, I told you! Here my proof of meeting professional poker player, Beth Shak. She was very gracious.
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And now, what I'm really here for...the food. Of course, duh!

Anyone care for some bubbly? I ADORE these glasses, so vintage. Courtesy of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. I had two of these...heehee. Yummo!

Shrimp Creole over a hoppin' john cake with a baby collard green salad by Alpha American Tavern.

Steak slider, created by Tavern 17.

Eatible Delights Catering definitely wins my award for best/most original display of the night! Here's David K. Simms posing for me.

One of my most favorite things about this event is that the actual chefs serve the guests their food (not just the restaurant's employees). This is extremely important, people! They will watch your face closely for reactions to your bites, too. Here above it's all about teamwork for the chefs from Ristorante Panorama.

Friendly staff from Rum Bar...thanks for the smile, guys!

Mmmm, beer. There aren't many things better in life than beer. Just sayin.

Shrimp from City Tavern. You might remember that I met Chef Walter Staib
at last year's Taste of the Nation. I went and shook his hand again (not sure if he remembered me or not but he was in my favorite picture from that night).

Apple jicama salad in cucumber with tarragon dressing from Victory Brewing Company. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Yes the ball and the plate were actually spinning when I snapped this picture - so funny! The guy next to her (the husband?) looks unimpressed hehe!

Fire & Ice: sushi grade tuna, coconut milk, cilantro, aji amarillo, lime with spiced blood orange gratinee, from Max & Me Catering.

Grilled scallions and peppers...

The VIP room, baby!

Red velvet cupcakes...

Naw-lins punch, anyone? (get it?) This was really delish and such a fun idea...

My most favorite tarot card reader ever, Marilyn Sukonick-Zeff, was there. I gave her a big hug and said hello but seriously, the woman had a line around the entire room of people wanting to see her, so I let her get back to her people. Way to go, Marilyn!

Here's TLC's winner of Next Great Baker Dana Herbert's display from Desserts by Dana (you can see him on the far right behind the cakes).

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Thanks to Mod Space, Dave Schrader and everyone at Red Cross for producing such an unbelievable event. All proceeds from The Red Ball directly benefit Red Cross House – The Center for Disaster Recovery, the SEPA Chapter’s one-of-a-kind short-term housing facility in West Philadelphia where hundreds of local families every year begin their recovery from fires, floods, and other disasters.

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In all, the Red Ball raised $285,000, the most ever for any SEPA Chapter single day event.

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AMAZING!

So that's it! I hope you enjoyed my coverage of the 2011 Red Ball. I had a fabulous time, got to meet and mingle with some great people and...that's right, bitches...I'm the media! :P

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Want a copy of one (or more) of my pictures? Email me at Tasha@thehousewifediaries.com.

For more coverage on The Red Ball, 2011, visit the theredball.org or like them on Facebook.

Red Ball 2011 Picture Preview...

The Hubs and I had a great time at The Red Ball last night. I even got to meet professional poker player, Beth Shak (and I have a picture to prove it). Thanks and congratulations to the Philadelphia Red Cross for such a successful evening.

To see my complete coverage of The Red Ball, 2011, GO HERE!

I have lots of goodies to share with you so stay tuned! To tide you over until then, here's just a little preview of what's to come...

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Look! It's the cupcake princess with her mini (red velvet?) cupcakes! I know you want one. Courtesy of Cupcakes Gourmet.

Veracruz Shrimp: Florida rock shrimp, roast tomato, chayote, culantro, avocado and roast pineapple. Courtesy of Max & Me Catering. Delish and so refreshing!