Murphy’s First Super Bowl
Murph loves football almost as much as me! 
(Obviously, he got really into the game!)
I love the Super Bowl, but I don’t like football. Today is all about the food for me! 
When we arrived at our friends’ house, I considered drinking a beer, but seltzer + pomegranate juice sounded much more appealing. Plus, I have a big day of travel ahead of me and I didn’t want to feel sluggish in the morning.
Tonight’s dinner was a bunch of appetizers, which were spread out over the course of the evening.
We started with Jalapeno Con Queso Cheddar Dip and Spinach Con Questo Cheddar Dip from Bear Pond Farm. A few weeks ago, the nice folks there sent me a ton of their dips to try. I brought a couple of different ones to our Super Bowl gathering for everyone to enjoy.
Bear Pond Farm’s “Kiss the Dip” cheddar dips are made with American white cheddar and all natural ingredients– cheese being the first! 
They’re also gluten-free, made without artificial colors, and totally de-lic-ious! The Jalapeno Dip had a nice strong, semi-spicy flavor and the Spinach Dip sort of reminded me of a creamy spinach-artichoke dip.
We ate the Jalapeno Dip right out of the refrigerator and heated up the Spinach Dip in the microwave. We ate them both with Roasted Garlic Triscuits. Mmm! I loved BOTH dips!
A little while later, the buffalo chicken nachos came out to play!
Holy yum! I ate like a million of these babies!
And if crackers + dip and buffalo chicken nachos weren’t enough, we finished off the night with Devil’s Food cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
Marie and I tried to “healthify” the cake mix recipe by using canola oil instead of vegetable and replacing half of it with canned pumpkin. We didn’t tell the guys about the ingredient changes to see if they could taste the difference. They actually commented on the moistness of the cake and how wonderful they tasted. Mission accomplished!
I’m not one to turn down a cupcake, especially one with cream cheese frosting, so I dug right in. I’ll start my diet tomorrow!
I can’t believe that I am going to NYC tomorrow for 3 days. I feel so unprepared! I still need to finish packing! Gah! 
See ya tomorrow!
P.S. Be sure to check back in the morning. There will be a fun OpenSky promo!
Tags: Bear Pond Farm, Jalapeno Con Queso Cheddar Dip, Kiss the Dip, Roasted Garlic Triscuits, Spinach Con Questo Cheddar Dip, Super Bowl
Food Makes Fun Fuel — February 7, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
I definitely feel like Murphy watching the game, too.
What a great cupcake experiment! I bet they were blown away(if you told them)
Karla — February 7, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
Haha I would definitely be asleep if I watched the superbowl too! I’ve fallen asleep at a live sporting event before, kind of sad!
The food is always appreciated though
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) — February 7, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
Yummmmm! I love Super Bowl food — it’s such a fun time to eat lots of different things.
I made a huge bowl of guac and a homemade pizza. Yum!
Ashley — February 7, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
Rumor has it that you and Meghann are getting drinks tomorrow night. I highly, highly recommend the Bourgeouis Pig! It is so cool and in a great area of NYC! Have fun and feel free to email me or tweet with any questions!
Kel — February 7, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
You actually can replace all of the oil in the mix with the pumpkin! Try it with spice mix! You may need 1/2 cup hot water but it comes out great!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — February 7, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
i love subbing oil with pumpkin – just did that for my gingerbread. applesauce works pretty well too!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — February 7, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
What is the diff b/w canola & veggie oil? I didn’t know there was one. You’re going to have a blast in NYC!!!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
Have fun in NYC!!!!! Gosh those nachos are enticing. I’ve gotta make some nachos soon.
Lina — February 7, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
If you have time to explore the city For the BEST DESSERT EVER, I would recommend going to Pure Food and Wine for their trio of dark chocolate coated indian spiced ice creams. I’m not too big on their raw foods but holy moly is that the best dessert i’ve ever had. I dream of it constantly! Enjoy NY.
Pam (@ TotalHealthCounseling) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
Great idea sneaking in the pumpkin
It’s fun to healthify treats and even better when the guys enjoy it too!
Jay — February 7, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
SAINTS WON!!!!!!! I’m so happy, bet you are too! I love it when the team I’m rooting for wins! Have a safe trip to NY
Tasha — February 7, 2010 @ 10:06 pm
What delicious treats! I had cheesy fries, beer and one cookie.
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
Those are KILLER nachos. Wow, those look sooooooooooo goood.
Carrie @ I See Monsters — February 7, 2010 @ 10:11 pm
Mmm…devil’s food with cream cheese icing is one of my favorite combos! Next time, try it with coconut sprinkled on top as well. Out of this world!
terri — February 7, 2010 @ 10:12 pm
tina ~have a safe trip and have fun hanging with kelly ripa! that is way cool!! i have to thank you, as you were the inspiration for me to FINALLY start my own blog~your tips and helpful hints have been a great ‘gift’! thanks again~terri xxoo
Lisa (bakebikeblog) — February 7, 2010 @ 10:13 pm
oh all thos eats look great – especially those nachos! I love your substitutions in the cake too – very clever
Hannah — February 7, 2010 @ 10:13 pm
Those nachos look divine! I think I’d have been like Murphy though – asleep. Football really isn’t my thing
Kara — February 7, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Those nachos look awesome! I love anything “buffalo”. I wonder how many veggies I could sneak into that recipe…
Jenna — February 7, 2010 @ 10:16 pm
Yayy for NYC!!
katy — February 7, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
i’m leaving town tomorrow too and still have to do laundry, pack, and clean my kitchen. talk about procrastinating!
Bev — February 7, 2010 @ 10:32 pm
OMG …. the dog beside Murphy looks like my daughter’s dog ( Murphy ) LOL
Ally (Exercise and Pies) — February 7, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
mmm, looks like some killer nachos!
I made some boxed brownies today for the family and had a nibble but I always replace to oil with apple sauce to lighten it up a bit but keep the flavor
Annie — February 7, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Your nachos look great! Its so funny to see everyone’s different superbowl snacks.
Emily — February 8, 2010 @ 12:10 am
Oh man! Cute puppy pics 2 days in a row! You’re killing me. =)
Started reading your blog a few weeks ago and can’t stop checking it. Thanks for your balanced voice!
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com — February 8, 2010 @ 2:36 am
Gah I an’t believe you mentioned cupcakes!! I spent like, an HOUR looking for a cupcake post for that Valentine’s scavenger hunt lol!!
Glad you had fun
Eve (Nutrition by Eve) — February 8, 2010 @ 6:55 am
Love your superbowl dinner! The nachos look great. This was the fist year I didn’t do anything for superbowl, but my husband did request something for munching on so we made Alexia waffle fries which are our favorites! Have an awesome time in NYC
Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN — February 8, 2010 @ 7:45 am
That’s was Superbowl Sunday is all about, food… right?
It looks like you relaly enjoyed your party – have fun in New York and tell Mrs. Ripa I said “hi”! 
diana(mymarblerye) — February 8, 2010 @ 7:50 am
that is exactly why i watch too…commercials and food. It annoys the boys but oh well. I can NOT wait for your nyc trip! I’ll live through you!
Kathy (adventuretaker.com) — February 8, 2010 @ 8:27 am
Have you ever checked out eatbetteramerica.com? I really like the Web site; they “healthify” a lot of recipes. For my Superbowl party last night, I made healthified whoopie pies and raspberry bars – they were delicious!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers — February 8, 2010 @ 9:39 am
Those nachos look insanely amazing
Lauren @ Eater not a runner — February 8, 2010 @ 10:46 am
Have a blast in NYC! Those cupcakes look WAY too good
shelly — February 8, 2010 @ 11:58 am
Ooh, I have a really good “healthified” cupcake recipe! You add a can of pumpkin and 1/4 cup of water to a box of spice cake mix. That’s it, and it’s awesome. You do have to stir it a good bit to mix everything up, but hey, that’s exercise!
Foodie — February 8, 2010 @ 1:27 pm
You mean you didn’t watch the puppy bowl?
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/about.html