The Race for the Gold Ball

It's that time of year again… unless you're a coach's wife, you have no idea what I'm referring to. Although the season may seem intense, nothing is as tense as the weeks of the State Playoffs. Everything changes in these 5 weeks. Teams may be predictable in season, but once the playoffs hit- all things are possible. It's win or go home-- and no one is ever ready to head home.

The Golden Demons charging in to the Stadium
(The photograph I risked my safety for-- so glad it turned out!)

Thankfully, our Golden Demon's have already found themselves in the second round of the state playoffs! Rally towels were swinging like crazy in the Golden Demon Stadium this past Friday night! It's exciting for the fans, but for the coaching wives it's a whole new level of excitement. All of the HOURS and HOURS our husbands put in [whether it's on the field in practice, in the film room, or simply on their own working and watching film] finally starts to play off- in a big way.

A friend and fellow coaching wife and I always sit together at games-- well we did until I almost took her out with my great excitement when we intercepted the ball in a BIG play with only 8 minutes left in the game. I went to hug her and while I was hugging her I yelled, we just won the ball game!!! (Bless her heart, I pretty much tackled her) She started laughing and people around us thought we were crazy-- I thought to myself, weren't not crazy, we've just been around our husbands so long that we are starting to think like them and knew that we had just won a ballgame!

Beggs Making the headlines in the Tulsa World Saturday Morning 

It was a rough week prior to the victory. Lee was diagnosed with acute bronchitis in the middle of the week, but is receiving treatment as if he has pneumonia considering he will not be able to stay out of the cold weather for the unforeseen future. In addition, another coach came down the a nasty stomach virus the day of the game. Both, still came out and did their job and helped lead our team without one complaint. So proud of the staff that surrounds my husband on a daily basis. The Lord is so good!

This was the first playoff victory for my husband while being the head coach. Consequently, it was a big night for our household!

So proud of this man!

As Lee and I were walking off the field, one of our starting running backs asked me if I would make the team some more of the gooey butter cake that I have randomly surprised them with throughout the season. So of course I said yes!

After buying out the stock on the shelves at Walmart of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cake mix I went to work. Making enough Gooey Butter Cake for our entire team is quite a challenge! High school boys can put away food on any day, much less after a big practice. Lee asks that they stay away from a lot of sugar while in season, but I think this calls for an exception.

Gooey Butter Cake has always been a staple dessert in our home. My St. Louis roots can't help but love a good Gooey Butter Cake. 

After baking, baking, and more baking, I finally have enough to take the team tonight when practice is over. I love being able to bring little goodies to the team and the coaches throughout the season. It makes what they do day in and day out a little brighter. 

Now it's off to bring home another W for our town this coming Friday night! Who would have thought I would be anxiously awaiting another victory that causes my husband to be gone so much? 

You better believe I'll still be the loudest and proudest fan in the stands!!! 

Zucchini Chips

Being a coach's wife doesn't leave much time for home cooked meals during the season.  We are constantly on the run to the next game, getting home ultra late after meetings and practice, or simply just exhausted from all the special functions and events that football season brings. Thus, clean eating has not been priority in our house. Let's be real- it's more of a grab and go or throw some comfort food our way time of year. No matter the year, football season always brings its challenges and this is usually the hardest. My crockpot literally broke from extreme use this season. (Thankfully, Williams-Sonoma ships quickly--otherwise Lee would be out of luck for a while!)

However this week we decided enough was enough. A healthy diet leads to so much more than slim figures. It gives you more energy, better moods, clearer skin and a happier well-being all around. 

So today I ventured out and made two new dishes. (Thanks, Pinterest!)

First on the menu was Zucchini Chips. Any form of chip is always welcomed with eager arms in our home… however, I was very skeptical about this particular kind. I mean, a vegetable as a chip? No way that could actually be enjoyable, right? 

Wrong.

They are surprisingly delicious!

The Cast of Characters:

Zucchini

Apple Cider Vinegar

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Start out by slicing the Zucchini ultra thin. I read that lots of people liked theirs about 1/4 inch thick; however, my favorite ones were the ultra thin ones that throughly dried and got extra crispy.

I put all my Zucchini slices into a bowl and poured a little apple cider vinegar over the top and stirred. This simply gave a little tangy flavor to the chips. It is definitely an optional step.

Next, line your Zucchini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (I buy precut parchment paper specifically for baking sheets from King Arthur Flour. I highly recommend them! Grab one, cook, and then throw it away with all the mess once you are finished. It's lovely.)

The next step can be done one of two ways: either buy Pam with Olive Oil and spray a light coating over the slices, or in my case since I didn't have any of the Olive Oil Pam Spray, I chose to use a brush and lightly coat the slices myself.

After you've oiled the slices, pull out your salt and pepper and go to town. However, remember that the Zucchini will shrink in the oven and thus your spices seem to double in taste once the chips are finished. I definitely over did the pepper--so take it from me, less is more in this case!

Throw them in a 230 degree oven for 1 hour. If the chips are not dried out and crispy at the one hour mark, keep cooking them but check back every 10 minutes so they do not get over done. Mine ended up needing about and hour and a half total cooking time. 

Finally the chips were served.

Although they still can't compare to a good ol' baked potato chip, they make their own statement and give another veggie serving as a bonus!

These will definitely be on repeat in our home.

Up next: Oopsie Rolls (Gluten-Free Buns)