HCS Pro League Fall Season 2017

Welcome to Matchday 7 of the Pro League.  Team Optic vs. Team Liquid.  Who will take the series?

Watch live video from Halo on www.twitch.tv

🔥 - XBOX One S 500GB Battlefield 1 Special Edition Console Bundle - $179 Shipped

This deal is on fire.  Jet.com has this Special Edition XBOX One S Battlefield 1 bundle on sale for $179 Shipped when you use promo code: XBOX50.  Tax may apply depending on where you are located.  See notes below for details.

Bundle Includes:
500GB Xbox One Console (Storm Grey)
Xbox One Wireless Controller
Battlefield 1 (Digital Download Card)
One month of EA Access
HDMI Cable
14-Day Xbox Live Gold Trial

Items sold by Jet are subject to tax when shipped to destinations in: AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OH, SD, UT, VT, and WA.

This Week's Favorite Craft Beer

I try to keep an open mind when it comes to trying new brews.  In the past I've compared new tastes to old tastes.  This, I discovered, was quite unfair.  Those who know me well know I prefer IPAs over most other craft beers.  This makes it difficult when trying to experiment with different flavors and tastes.  Although this week's favorite craft beer happens to be an IPA, I promise to mix it up when presenting my thoughts on new selections I have the opportunity to sample.

Last Friday night the Wife and I enjoyed a night out without the small humans.  We picked up a pair of tickets for a local show featuring Problem Child (An AC/DC tribute band) at a venue on the lake called The Pontoon.  They were awesome by the way!  Prior to checking out the show we munched on some awesome eats at Apps & Tapps (located downstairs from The Pontoon) in Mooresville, NC.  Check it out if you ever have the chance.  Anyway, their craft beer menu was quite attractive.  I sampled a few selections but my favorite of the evening was most definitely the Space Dust IPA from Elysian Brewing.  This brew is seriously fantastic.  It's not as bitter as most higher ABV IPAs and was incredibly smooth with a very satisfying aftertaste.  This "Totally Nebular IPA" would be perfect for someone who's not generally a fan of IPAs but would like get in the game.  If you happen to come across this wonderfully crafted brew, give it a try.  Then let me know what you thought in the comments.

Check out the specs!
STYLE
India Pale Ale
BODY
Light to Medium
TASTING NOTES
The hopping is pure starglow energy, with Chinook to bitter and late and dry additions of Citra and Amarillo.
MALTS
Great Western premium two-row, c-15 and Dextra-pils
HOPS
Chinook, Citra and Amarillo
ABV: 8.2%
IBU: 73
AVAILABILITY
Year round — 1/2 Bbl kegs, Six packs, 22 oz bottles

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals | Play Games | Heal Kids | Team REZLI

On November 4th, I'll be playing games representing TEAM REZLI for 24 hours to raise funds for sick kids at my local children's hospital, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital in South Carolina.  You pick the games and I'll play them!  Wanna' join me?  Let's do this!

Here's how it works:
***Extra Life is a 24-hour fundraising and gaming marathon to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
***Game Day (Nov. 4th), I will join the thousands of Gamers and dedicate an entire day to playing games and getting donations from Friends and Framily like YOU!
***100% of the donations go to my local hospital (Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, South Carolina, USA). TOGETHER we will make a difference for sick kids!

All donations are tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. You can click the "Donate" button at the top of my Extra Life page to make a safe and easy online donation.  Once again, thank you very much for your support!

HCS Pro League Fall Season 2017

Welcome to Matchday 6 of the Pro League. Team Liquid vs. Luminosity is up next. Who y'all rootin' for?
 Watch live video from Halo on www.twitch.tv

HCS Pro League Fall Season 2017

Matchday 5 is LIVE right now! Show some love for the Halo Championship Series by stopping by and clicking all the things.

Watch live video from Halo on www.twitch.tv

Cast-Iron Skillet Calzone

I'll be preparing this delightful spin on the traditional Italian dish for supper tonight. The family always loves it and more often than not, I end up making two just so we have enough for leftovers. I urge you to customize it to your liking and experiment with new ingredients. If you prepare it for you and yours, and/or put your own spin on it, please let me know in the comments.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Baking temperature: 400°F
Standing time: 5 minutes

Required ingredients:
1/2 lb. ground sirloin or ground turkey
1/2 lb. Italian sausage with casings removed (mild or hot, your choice)
6oz. Sliced pepperoni
1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
1 lb. fresh (or frozen) pizza dough, thawed
1 cup marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian cheese blend (8oz.)
1 cup sliced fresh baby bella mushrooms
1 cup chopped red and/or yellow sweet peppers (2 small)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Optional ingredients:
Grated Parmesan cheese
Snipped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
Extra warmed marinara sauce (for dipping) 

Steps: 
1) Preheat oven to 400°F. In a 9.5 to 10-inch cast-iron or other heavy oven-going skillet cook beef, sausage, and onion over medium-high heat until meat is browned and onion is tender, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain meat mixture in a colander/strainer). Wipe out skillet with a paper towel; cool slightly.
2) On a lightly floured surface, divide pizza dough in half. Roll one dough portion into a 12-inch circle (if dough is hard to roll, let stand for 5 minutes and then roll out). Press dough circle onto the bottom and up the sides of the skillet. Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce over dough in skillet. Top with meat mixture, sliced pepperoni, mozzarella/Italian shredded cheese, mushrooms, sweet peppers, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Drizzle remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over filling. Roll the remaining dough portion into an 11-inch circle. Place dough circle on top of filling. Pinch edges of bottom and top crusts together to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut slits in top crust.
3) Place skillet in oven. Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and/or parsley. Cut into six wedges. Serve with additional, optional warmed marinara sauce.

The Black Iron Gathering video single "Heart Song"

"No matter what your belief or disbelief is, we are all trying to pull strength from somewhere."
Ain't that the truth!  Check out the video below and show some love by sharing it with your friends.  These guys just make ya' feel good!

Makeover Time!

Lots of things have changed over here at the Lzzrd Den.  We're making some seriously exciting changes to the blog and will be introducing some awesome new content in the coming days/weeks.  Thanks for sticking with us during our downtime and make sure you stop by again soon to see what we're working on!

Coming Soon...
More HOT DEALS!
Local Music News and Info!
Competitive Gaming with "Names Turbo"!
Cooking with LzzrdBoy!
DIYs and How-Tos for your Reptiles!
Fishing Tips and Tricks from Lake Norman, NC!
Exclusive giveaways and goodies for our loyal subscribers!
Much much more!