stepping out of my comfort zone...

I don't know how many of you know this about me, but I am painfully shy.

Put me in a room full of people and I will most likely find a cozy corner, people watch and keep to myself unless someone comes and starts a conversation with me.

And sometimes even that makes my heart race!

That's not to say I don't love those conversations when they happen, because I do, but getting there is so awkward and difficult for me.

I told you... painful!

I don't like this trait that I have, and I always try to convince myself that it's not true.  Before I walk into a room I tell myself that I will be outgoing and talkative!

And then I get two feet farther into the room and my shell closes right back up and I find my non-threatening corner and observe.

It's pathetic really.  I just can't seem to shake this personality trait and it drives me nuts.

Seriously...  I even find myself running dialogue in my head of what I would say, or would have said, if I could.  But I usually can't!

Fortunately for me, I married a man who is my polar-opposite in this area.  He is incredibly outgoing, carefree, loud, and boisterous!

He makes up for all my quiet shortcomings, although in many ways I'm sure his outgoing personality actually helps me hide behind my introversion.

I don't really have to step out of my comfort zone when he's around, and I like that...  but it definitely doesn't push me to work harder!

So, this weekend I am stepping completely out of my comfort zone.  And I'm not even taking my husband/safety net!

I am going to a food bloggers conference in Seattle (BlogHer Food '12) and at this point, I don't know one person who is going.  Craziness isn't it?!

My husband is actually the one who encouraged me to sign up when they first announced the conference, especially since it is so close to home this time.  And I am glad he did...

But boy am I nervous!  :o)

Although, I think the excitement of two full days kid-free (well, except for the tiny one in my belly who will be tagging along!) is outweighing the nerves quite a bit.  I am so excited for this little burst of me-time!

And hopefully I will come home from this boundary-pushing weekend with a bit more boldness... and some new friends!

(Oh, and if you happen to be going to BlogHer Food...  come say Hi to me and help me push out of my comfort zone!  :o)  I'll be the fidgety, very pregnant one sitting near the back somewhere with a shy smile and frequent bathroom-breaks!)

homemade hot fudge sauce...

Hot fudge sundaes.

Coffee ice cream drowned in homemade hot fudge.

Strawberries dipped in warm, gooey fudge.

Spoons and finger-fulls of fudge liked clean, over and over again...

Am I making you hungry yet?

My friend Cory (over at Fresh is the Taste!) makes some amazing Hot Fudge Sauce and she gave a bunch out as gifts last Christmas.

We were lucky enough to get a jar, and I am a tiny bit embarrassed to say I didn't share one drop of it.  I ate it all myself.  Mostly on my Häagen Daaz coffee ice cream...

I can't believe it took me 6 months to make some myself!  (Or maybe I can, because I have no self-control with the stuff!)

I made a few changes to Cory's recipe, but both versions are absolutely delicious!  Check her original version out here.

Oh, and one of the best parts of this recipe??  It only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish!  Perfect for a last-minute special dessert!  (Because who doesn't love a scoop of ice cream with great hot fudge on it?!)

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
adapted from Fresh is the Taste
makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Melt the butter, coconut oil and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat until all combined and smooth, stirring often.  Whisk in the cocoa powder and evaporated milk and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.  The fudge will thicken as it cools.

Store in the fridge and reheat carefully to serve!

(This supposedly lasts up to a month in the fridge, but I've never had it around longer than a week to test that theory!)

sirloin steak & veggie kabobs, gluten free

I know this is kind of a cheater recipe, but it's one that I want to share because it is so easy and simply delicious, for everyone...  gluten-free-eaters or not!

Allegro marinades are one of the few kinds of gluten-free marinades I can find easily at my small-town grocery store.  I'm guessing if I can find it in mine, you can find it in yours!

I loved the flavor, and the simplicity of dumping out a bottle is wonderful!

Yes, throwing together a marinade from-scratch can be easy enough in itself, but sometimes I just don't want to have to think about if onemorething is gluten free or not, when my brain is just tired.  :o)

Disclaimer:  This post is not an 'official' review. Allegro doesn't know anything about me, I just found their product, loved it and wanted to share it with you!

Gluten Free Sirloin Steak & Veggie Kabobs Recipe

Ingredients:
3 pounds beef sirloin steaks
2 large onions
2 large bell peppers
1 bottle Allegro Original Marinade
metal or wooden skewers (if wooden, soak for at last 30 minutes before using!)

Directions:
Cut the steaks into about 2" cubes, trimming off any excess fat as you go.  Place all the cubes into a gallon-sized ziploc bag and pour in the whole bottle of Allegro gf marinade.

Marinate at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to a day in the fridge.  Remove the meat from the fridge at least 30 minutes before grilling if it has been chilled.

Cut the onions into quarters, and trim the bell peppers and cut them into about 2" pieces.  You can also add mushrooms and other veggies here...  whatever you like on your skewers!

Thread the meat and veggies alternately onto the skewers, beginning and ending with the meat.  When they are all ready, grill them on a fairly hot grill with the lid closed until the meat is cooked to your liking and the veggies are tender.

Serve with rice!