So, I have to take a minute to blog about the Oscars because 1) Count Me healthy bracelets were featured in the official Oscar baskets last year (Yay, it was amazing) and 2) It's the most fabulous of all Hollywood events!

There is no better excuse to throw a get together with girlfriends to dress up and try really flashy cocktails that you would never go out and even attempt to order in public!

I've been reading up on Oscar parties and sorry to say, I just don't feel like sending out the invitations that look like movie director clapboards or giving out Golden Boy statutes (there is such a thing as prop overkill). Sometimes I think themed parties go just a little too far, like wearing a sequins blazer AND skirt. So, if I was going to throw an Academy Awards Soiree, this is how I would do it. And, I just might. So all of the girls who read this and see me on a regular basis, I am divulging all of the surprises that may be awaiting you.

Invites:
VIP passes, of course. Since this is last minute, it will be an "E-VIP" pass. Please note, I am all about beautiful paper invitations but time is of the essence.

Attire
It is a "Cas (as in Casual) Oscar Gathering." This is a twist to try. Friends can dress in their favorite denim, casual tops, but wear the biggest, funkiest earrings, cocktail rings, tiaras, and necklaces you can find. If you want to take it a step further, try an updo to accentuate your massive CZ earrings. If you wear the real thing, I have my gun license and would not only act as hostess but also as your bodyguard. Top it off by wearing satin evening shoes that we can all Ooooh and Aaaahhh over. So fun!


Festivities
Everyone will have to arrive early to watch the pre-Academy Award show on the E! Network for the Red Carpet arrivals. The hits, the misses, and the "Trash Your Sylists." I would hand out a form to each friend with the Award categories and contenders and before the Oscars start everyone would need to turn in their picks (in pen, no erasing!) It would be like Super Bowl betting, only better. Then, when it was over we'd tally up who had the most correct answers and the winner would get a fun prize. Okay, the gold statuette as a prize would be appropriate here I guess.

Oscar Cocktail:
I'm normally a vodka soda with lime (or red wine) gal, but signature events call for signature cocktails!

Red Carpet Martini

Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces pomegranate liqueur (recommended: PAMA)
- Champagne
- Gold leaf, for garnish

Directions
Pour vodka and pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with gold sugar and top with a splash of chilled Champagne. Float gold leaf and serve.

Menu:
For a minute I tried to be all creative and "channel" appetizers based on the nominees. Then I realized that I would probably just make or buy what I like and what I think my guests would enjoy!

Just a sampling of the appetizers (taken from of all places, Disneyfamily.com)

Spinach-&-Brie-Topped Artichoke Hearts
These made my mouth water, plus they are (somewhat) healthy. Plus, they are a pretty twist on the classic spinach and artichoke dip, so people will think you are uber-creative. Creamy brie is the topper, but parmesan would also work for a lighter version.

In this deconstructed version of hot spinach-artichoke dip, we stuff artichoke hearts with lightly seasoned cooked spinach and melt brie on top.


Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes
Yield: 18 servings
Ease of Prep: Easy

Ingredients
- 1 9-ounce box frozen artichoke hearts
- 2/3 cup cooked chopped spinach
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 18 thin slices brie

Directions
Preheat broiler. Prepare artichoke hearts according to package directions.
Combine spinach, lemon pepper and salt in a small bowl. Top each artichoke heart with the spinach mixture and brie. Broil until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

Tomato-Basil Skewers
These are for the hostess who is Oscar glam but short on time. Skewering mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes makes them easy to nosh at a party.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 10 minutes
Yield: 16 pieces
Ease of Prep: Easy



Ingredients
- 16 small fresh mozzarella balls
- 16 fresh basil leaves
- 16 cherry tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle
- Coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Thread mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on small skewers. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spicy Sweet Turkey Meatballs
So, since we're only having apps, it's good to serve something hearty for those who like a little more than the fruit and veggie scene. These bake in the oven which makes for fuss-free cooking and quick clean-up.

Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 meatballs




Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 scallions, very finely chopped
- 1/2 cup very finely chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten

Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 or 3 slices fresh ginger smashed with the side of a heavy knife

Directions
- To make the meatballs: Heat the oven to 400.
- Gently mix together the ingredients (hands are best for this), then form meatballs by rolling tablespoon-sized scoops between your palms.
- Arrange on a lightly oiled or parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until well-browned and cooked through. Serve with toothpicks for dipping.
- To make the dipping sauce: In a small pot, stir all the ingredients together over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer 3 or so minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens a bit.
- Fish out the ginger and serve in small cups for dipping.

Are you throwing an Oscar soiree? If so, what are you serving? May the stars align for you and as always... keep counting!

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, countessess, entertaining, party

I recently went to an Inspirational Friends' Brunch at one of my dear friend's houses and I have to share. What a fabulous concept--getting women together to discuss what (or who) inspires them daily. It was refreshing and I left the event ready to embrace the day (no mimosas necessary.)

If you should want to throw an Inspirational Friends' Brunch, here are a few steps to get the "Good Food and Gratitude" flowing:

1) Invite different circles of friends. Everyone is inspired so it makes for fabulous common ground (which is hard to come by these days.) Also, often inspiration is the birth of a challenge and/or hardship in one's life, so it's nice to hear other examples outside of your tight-knit group.

2) I'm speaking from personal experience, but if you are a Facebook fiend, like moi, then you will probably invite some of your friends via FB. Message their accounts (in a group email) and ask them each for a song that inspires them. My friend, Laura, did this and put an amazing CD together which was handed out at the end (I offered the song "Jesus and Gravity" by Dolly Parton). Unfortunately, "Ice Ice Baby" didn’t make the cut but there is always next year and another friend already offered her spectacular casa for the second annual gathering.

3) Get some speakers together. These women do not have to have the scaling of Mt. Everest or a Middle-East Peace Keeper on their resume to be a speaker (although I wouldn't doubt this for some). Since you are the host, you make the rules. And you can invite whomever inspires you to "come on up here and hold the mic" (or the zebra-printed broom, which is what was used in place of a mic).

4) Home Cooking! Now this was a very southern event complete with sweet mint tea and amazing desserts. I'm from Detroit, so I know that Northern Women can cook it up just as well as the Southern Belles. Anyway, the food was fantastic. Ask a couple of your friends for their culinary specialties. They will love to help and it will take some of the pressure off of you.

5) The last step is easy. Just be proud of the event you put together and enjoy yourself. Gratitude and inspiration should be a reason to celebrate in itself; therefore you offered the perfect reason to throw a party.












What inspires you? Is it reason to throw a soiree (I'm betting, heck yes)? Enjoy your week and as always, keep counting!

Labels: count me healthy jewelry, countessess, entertaining, food tips, friendship, inspiration

We've all heard of wine and cheese parties, but to celebrate Autumn, how about bringing friends together for an Apple tasting party? I grew up loving a few different kinds of apples my parents always picked up from the store (for my dad it was Red Delicious; my mom loves Granny Smith.) But alas, I haven't been exposed to the hundreds of crispy, sweet, and sour types that 1) aren't so main stream and 2) weren't even available until a few years ago (like the Grapple--a Washington apple that looks like an apple but tastes like a grape). Visit this site for a list of all of the varieties grown in the US.

Now, let's get started on our Fall Apple Tasting Party!

1). Get about eight different types of apples. Gather a few well known ones like Green, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, and then grab some more that are not so well known like, Indared, Jonathan, Newtown Pippin, and Paula Red. The best place to get these this time of year would be a cider mill (grab some cider, donuts, and turnovers while you're at it.)

2) Set one of each apple next to a 3x5 note card, and next to the whole apple, have some slices on a cutting board with a knife for party-goers to cut more slices themselves.

3) Label the top of the 3x5 card with the type of apple.

4) Beyond the apples, have some cheese (maybe some cheddar, Camembert, and some melted Brie with almonds and marmalade--yum).

5) Then, choose some wine pairings. Don't worry about pairing the perfect wine. If you are blessed with a sommelier at your local fruit market, ask him for around six varieties. I have a feeling if you are throwing this party though, you are a wine-lover yourself and there is nothing wrong with highlighting your "go-tos" to your friends.

6) Throughout the night, the guests will pair the wine with the apples and leave their comments on the cards. So, things like "Jonagold is perfect with the pinot noir, but too sweet with the zinfandel," or "Rome Beauty is my fave all around." Who knows what you'll do with the comments, but it's fun conversation. At the end of the night, try to see if there was a clear-cut winner. As ambiance you may want to light some autumn Yankee candles and use a huge vase filled with all of the apple varieties as your centerpiece.

7) As a special way to top off the evening, send each couple home with a candy apple to share.

Now, this is just my take on a grown-up apple tasting, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to the apple varieties, appetizers, and of course, the paired beverages. How about Hot Toddy's or Spiced rum cider? Do you like to throw pairing parties? If so, what do you pair? I'd love to hear your creative ideas.

Labels: apple and wine pairings, autumn, count me healthy, entertaining, fall, food tips