Game Day Tailgating Tips With Jersey Mike's Catering

This post is sponsored by Jersey Mike's but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

You know what makes that fine line of a difference between a good host and an amazing host this Game Day season? It's not allowing the other team's jersey under your roof, or even hand folding buffalo wontons to look like miniature helmets.

I'll let you in on a little secret Momma taught me; give them what they want. Game day may be a rough, tough, drag down and all out fight for superiority and dominance, but you can still be the hostess with the most without having to feel like you just ran 40 yards to get to the touchdown zone.

More often than not, in Southern California, we find an excuse to tailgate at any event involving a stadium, or even arena, but few incite such enthusiasm as American football. And, let's face it, the older we get the less time we have to pack up the truck bed and travel on site to support our teams in person. But just because you have a growing family doesn't mean you have to stop rooting for the home team or your Alma-mater. Whether you're tailgating in a parking lot, grabbing a quick picnic bite and watching the team on your smartphone, or hosting a full on party in your own backyard I have a few tips to make Game Day a simple success.

Serve them what they want!

The tailgating scene is littered with greasy foods that require special handling, lugging around grills and heavy cooking utensils. The parking lot is sure to be full of plenty of the same thing- so be sure to keep the whole crew fueled and smiling with deliciously fresh Jersey Mike's subs.

Jersey Mike's catering menu is a complete game changer, pun intended, when it comes to game day celebration traditions. Order through their convenient mobile app, online, or by phone to have your crew's order ready for pickup on the way to the stadium, or even delivered to office or home addresses.

Choose from a wide menu of Jersey Mike's signature cold subs, delicious bagged chips, fresh baked cookies and brownies, and even salads.

Never turn a friendly face away from your team celebration!

Whether you're simply packing up the family for a day at the stadium, or throwing a full on team rally Jersey Mike's has you covered with catering options such as Subs By The Box (serving 10) or subs by the bag. We love the Jersey Mike's Subs By The Box option for it's versatility of mini sub selection that helps your guests grab a refreshing bite in between a Cornhole toss or Flag Football match.

With the option to add on bottled beverages you won't need to stop at the big box store for extras, your entire grub game is on point and ready for kickoff. You can even add a little extra touchdown to a plate of fresh cookies or brownies- just add them to your Jersey Mike's catering order!

Stay Organized!

You don't have to have the fanciest parking spot in the lot to have an amazing game day experience. A simple picnic blanket and a few chairs with a cooler and Jersey Mike's will hit all the essentials. A great game day event only needs to include: Team Spirit, Great People, and Great Food. Make sure your crew is sporting team colors and gear, always welcome a fellow game day fan (yes, regardless of who they are cheering for) and keep those bellies full in between cheers.

Nobody wants to spend the time right before the game scrambling to clean and get packed, so stick to the essentials when planning a successful tailgate;

Team Gear

Cold Weather Clothing

Pop Up Trash Bin/Oversized Trash Bag

Lawn Chairs/Trunk Pillows

Cornhole/Football/Frisbee

Jersey Mike's Catering

These days a giant television is not needed to tune in the the pre-game broadcast; with modern smartphones you can often stream all of your game day media direct to your tailgate!

One thing we do find ourselves in need of as the festivities progress is a little organization in the drinks department. How many times have you been at a party or tailgate with a hundred identical red cups, soda bottles, or cans? I've come up with a simple little project anyone can do in just 10 minutes to keep their Game Day Tailgate organized.

Simply download and print the following Game Day Foam Finger Drink Marker template.

Cut out each pair of color matched foam fingers.

Lay each pair on top of one another (blank backs touching) and place a strip of clear packing tape on each side to effectively 'seal' them.

Cut along the outside, leaving a 2mm border of clear tape edge.

Glue (we use glue dot stickers) each foam hand to a miniature suction cup, OR cut a little half moon notch in the very top and bottom of each hand to reveal a hollow you can slide your straw directly through!

These Game Day Foam Finger Drink markers pop right onto our Jersey Mike's catering bottled beverages, or slide right over our drink cups so we can easily keep track of who's sipping what in all of the hustle and bustle of game day tailgating.

Lastly, have fun!

Tailgating is much more than great food and colorful clothes- you'll want some killer activities for your guests to participate in. Consider planning a tag football scrimmage at the end of the block, some old fashioned drink pong or darts, or even a soda chugging (or Speed Sub Sandwich Eating) contest!

It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that engages those around you and gets the game day spirit going- after all, socializing and having a great time is really what a tailgate is all about!

Rich And Moist #Vegan OREO Cake Recipe

Please Note: Some OREO products may be exposed to milk cross-contamination in the production process. 100 Calorie OREO Thin Crisps and other varieties are listed on PETA's approved 'accidentally vegan' list. While OREO cookies are commonly considered appropriate for Vegans, your personal diet and beliefs may require closer scrutiny when choosing which OREO product to include in your recipes. The following content is not sponsored. Enjoy!

Momma Told Me: The absence of something doesn't always take away from the overall experience.

As you know, last year, I began exploring a variety of alternate food styles and playing with various recipes that meet restrictive diets. Not because I, personally, was ready to scratch these things off my everyday diet, but because I find the creativity involved with recipe development and unique substitutions makes for a more pure eating experience overall. Have you ever noticed the fewer ingredients in a recipe the more each individual ingredient and flavor stands out? When we're forced to scrutinize what goes into our food we naturally develop a stronger appreciation for the profiles and flavors being created.

Vegan and Paleo were high on my list of experimentation last year- while, for me, Paleo has proved the toughest transition, Vegan can feel  much like 'normal' eating. Naturally, the bigger concern with observing Vegan diets is the respect to those who call themselves Vegan. My very first recipe involved honey, and I quickly learned to substitute honey with maple or agave- as bees are living creatures involved in the creation of honey, and it is not deemed a Vegan product. While we could go deeper into the culture and beliefs behind the Vegan lifestyle I'd much rather open your eyes through this delicious recipe. My Vegan OREO cake was, without a doubt, the most popular recipe I shared among family and friends in 2015. It was also my personal choice for my own birthday cake.

Maybe you have or haven't heard a certain sandwich cookie brand is 'Vegan.' Well, truth be told, only a few OREO varieties make the official PETA accepted 'Accidentally Vegan' list. While all Vegans I know offline consume OREO cookies regularly, the maker of OREO cookies lists the majority of their products not suitable for strict Vegan consumption due to the potential of cross contamination with milk. Consider this similar to a person with a nut allergy eating fruit leather produced on a manufacturer's line that has handled peanuts. While, in theory, OREO cookies are designed to be Vegan, chocolate dipped varieties and such do contain milk ingredients that may come in contact with other OREO products.

With that in mind this recipe can be made entirely without the OREO cookie garnish- or garnished with one of the approved PETA OREO varieties if you are looking for a strict Vegan experience. The cake and frosting components are completely animal byproduct free and mimic many of the ingredients and processes involved in making traditional OREO cookies.

This cake is sure to appeal to traditional diets just as much as it does those who are Vegan because of it's unique textures and flavors which mirror the OREO cookie experience. The cake itself is very dense with an almost malty dark cocoa flavor and reminds me of a soft OREO cheesecake crust, or even cake-like brownie. The frosting spreads like OREO filling and has the flavor of such, but slightly fluffier, with a melt-in-your-mouth effect that pairs perfectly with the dense cake.

The Vegan OREO Cake is not overly rich- I find I can enjoy a decent sized slice without feeling weighed down or guilty. The sweet component is there, but really, it just begs for a tall glass of, erm, coconut milk? While I've made this cake a few times now I wouldn't suggest transitioning it into cupcake form as I feel the smaller portions of batter might tend to dry out or overcook easily if not highly monitored.I find a 2 layer 6" pan cake is perfect for a celebration of 5-6 people.

As we move into 2016 I find myself more and more fascinated by Vegan concepts that mimic classic and favorite foods. I've been dabbling with a Samoa cookie recipe that promises to be better than the actual thing (Girl Scout Cookies) by the time I'm done tweaking it. As we move through the year I hope to become more adventurous and play with Vegan entrees and savory foods. They do so intimidate me- for now, I'm content keeping a fridge full of black bean patties and tofu nuggets. Have you tried a Vegan recipe that surprised you? If so what was it? If not, what recipe would you be interested in trying in a Vegan format?

What Daughter Says: Vegan has a bad rap among carnivores- but it's really a matter of cleaner eating. You'd be surprised what you can discover if you open your mind and palette.

Vegan OREO Cake

***Click here for printable Vegan OREO Cake recipe

+++I wanted to note, as indicated in the post above I authored this recipe as a new Vegan baker. This was a few years back, now, and I have since made the recipe several more times. As with traditional baking, Vegan baking is a sensitive art and the ingredients you use will impact the colors/flavors/etc of your final result. I do not give exact brands because naming brands in posts shows brand loyalty I am unfortunately penalized for when I go to partner with brands I use on a paid basis in the future. If you have questions about specifics or working, or brands, please feel free to email me!

5 Personal Hacks to Boost Immunity

When you’re under a lot of stress, it can easily take a toll on your immune system. And, really, who isn’t these days? 
Even positive events like buying a new home among Vancouver real estate or getting married causes stress levels to rise. 
The strength of your immune system is key to your survival, and a higher quality of life. in order to keep the body and 
mind functioning at their best, free from illness and disease, it needs to be running strong. These personal hacks can 
help boost your immunity to support your good health and well-being.

Take Probiotics

Taking probiotics has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so, thanks to extensive research 
on the powerful benefits that are linked to good bacteria. Probiotics, or “good” bacteria, live in the stomach 
and intestines. They exist naturally in the body, but they also come from the foods you eat, including some 
dairy products like yogurt, and they’re available in supplement form too. They’re not only essential for the 
proper functioning of the digestive system and bone health, but these beneficial microorganisms are believed 
to support the immune system too. While bad bacteria can make you ill, these good bacteria keep you well 
by offering multiple immune-boosting benefits.

The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport that showed New Zealand athletes came down with about 
40% fewer gastrointestinal infections and colds when taking a probiotic as compared to those who were 
given a placebo.

Spend Time in the Sun

If your body lacks vitamin D, your immune system is unlikely to function as it should. The sunshine vitamin, 
as it’s often referred to, is an important immune enhancer. As it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from 
foods, be sure to spend some time in the sun. Many experts say the ideal range for vitamin D is between 
1,000 and 2,000 IU daily, which equals to about 20 to 30 minutes in the sun without sunscreen three times a 
week. For those living in northern climates without a lot of sun, taking a vitamin D supplement is a good way 
to go to ensure you meet your body’s needs.

Indulge in Vitamin C-Filled Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits, are loaded with vitamin C which helps to increase the production of white
 blood cells to fight off infection. As the body is unable to produce or store vitamin C, it’s important to consume plenty of citrus to 
ensure your immune system functions at its best.

Eat More Mushrooms

Mushrooms are considered one of Earth’s greatest immune enhancers, thanks to their high levels of vitamin C, B vitamins, fiber, 
protein, calcium and other minerals. Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms are particularly notable as they also contain a high 
level of an impressive compound known as beta-glucans, remarkable for their ability to boost the immune system.

Get Your Zzzs

Getting enough sleep every night is a must as the body requires rest to recharge the immune system. When you don’t get enough, 
not only will your immunity suffer, but it can result in all kinds of other health issues weight gain and depression to heart disease. 
Aim to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. If you’re struggling to do so, try turning off all your electronics an hour before bedtime, 
performing gentle stretches or sipping chamomile tea instead of staring at a screen.