You're in for a treat

If you're anything like me then you are on a constant lookout for a good snack. A snack that you can place perfectly in between meals but won't slow you down or fill you up.

Choosing the right snack (for me) can be a tricky process because I prefer opting for the healthy alternative. My snacks range from fruit, veggies, rice cakes, yogurt, protein shakes granola/bars and everything like such as. However, I revel in the idea of finding a new snack to join the rotation. I have found just that.

What I'm about to tell you is kind of secret. It's something that I have found to be a wonderful/healthy/light/wonderful treat. It's easy, it's safe and best of all you can take it anywhere! :)

No, I'm not talking about avocados or banana bread.

Before I get to the newest treat...let me ask you a question...do you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? (Insert nod here) If you answered no, number one...what's wrong with you? and 2, you can stop reading now.
Here's what you do...you take a large ziplock bag and empty a bottle of unsalted, plain peanuts and a bag of raisins into it. Combine and enjoy!
You may be thinking..."that's it?" Well, let me tell you...this is peanut butter and jelly in its truest form! It is magical. It is heavenly. It is so tasty. I'm not kidding, you should try it. You should preferably combine an even amount of peanuts and raisins, as this will give you the utmost enjoyment.

I'm a Puppy for your Love

I've written about music on several occasions. Music really is a great thing, and I love sharing what I have found to be great.

In honor of the recent release of the Dave Matthews Band's 7th studio album, I share some memories.

First, I would like to point out that the "Chez Playlist" that you have come to know and love has been updated to feature Dave Matthews exclusively. I have chosen my favorite tracks and hope you take the time to listen to some of it. I get all giddy inside when I sit and jam out to it.
When I was young I enjoyed all sorts of music. I was on a continuous journey to find new songs to add to a mix-tape. It ranged from Oingo Boingo to Will Smith. From Genesis to Green Day. From Kenny Loggins to Slaughter. You're asking yourself, "what is slaughter?" exactly. I believe my original love of the mix-tape came about from my brother Jerry as he was always buying cd's and allowing his little brothers to pilfer his collection. Each of my brothers will attest to the love that we all shared of music and the random act of finding new tunes for a mix-tape. Oh, the mix-tape. haha!

As I aged, my music-loverhood went with me. Instead of listening to Top Gun & Beverly Hills Cop soundtracks, I started opting for real music. I remember the first time I heard Dave Matthews. I believe I was about 10 years old and Jerry had the album "Crash." I overheard him listen to it a bunch of times and I thought..."If Jerry likes it, then I should too!" The next thing I knew, I heard Jeff listening the heavenly twangs of DMB! Ok, so, if Jerry AND Jeff listened to it...then I needed/had to be a part of it. When I would visit the Little Caesars that Jerry worked at, the "cool" employees would talk about it and such.If this wasn't enough...on more than one occasion I overheard our buddy Derek Judd strumming on his guitar to Dave music. It was everywhere! I knew I was making the right decision. :) But, it wasn't until I was about 15 that I truly discovered the lyrics and grew an appreciation for the guitar and for Dave's style.
It was about this time in my life that I needed to make a choice. The choice that I believe everyone makes at some point in their life. The choice as to what band I would forever say is my favorite.

Obsessed is a strong word, that brings with it many negative connotations, so I choose to use the word passionate. I am very passionate about Dave Matthews' music. It's so good! Don't believe me...well, why haven't you listened to the playlist on the right-hand side of this blog?

I have my brothers, Jerry and Jeff to thank for this...gracias amigos!

"I can't believe that we would lie in our graves, dreaming of things that we might have been, could have been. I can't believe that we would lie in our graves wondering if we had spent our living days well." Let's take Dave's advice and live it up!

Career High

This past weekend we made the short journey down to Fat Cats for a good ol' fashioned bowling extravaganza. Well, it was actually just 4 amateurs giving it their all whilst enjoying laughter and food. We met our good friends, The Palmer's, down there and got our bowl on.

It was much fun and the pizza was worth the hefty price. We bowled 3 games and I am happy to report that my previous career high of, 100, is now obsolete. I surpassed all expectations and bowled an enormous 143!

Impressive, I know. Not only did I have a "Turkey" but I learned the art of the spin. (Thanks Eric.)

It was a good night and I hope we continue to make bowling a tri-decade event.

and the winner is...

The following is a column that appeared in The Daily Utah Chronicle, about who will win the NBA Finals. You can see the actual article here...

www.dailyutahchronicle.com

Matt Sanchez
Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Long ago I swore allegiance to all things Utah Jazz and in so doing promised to despise anything that resembles a Lakers logo. Clothing, automobiles, umbrellas, food--if it’s adorned with purple and gold, I won’t go near it. I am as devout as it gets.

That being said, picking winners still comes from the brain, not the heart.

The NBA Finals will get underway Thursday for the 63rd time and will pit the Los Angeles Lakers against the Orlando Magic. Los Angeles is no stranger to the Finals, as this will be its 30th appearance in the big dance, having won 14.

Orlando, the little-engine-that-could franchise, will be playing in the Finals for the second time.

I do not believe there is a logical, knowledgeable basketball fan who believes the Magic will win this series. Outside of the Magic organization, anyone who attempts to argue in their favor doesn’t meet the above criteria, or has something up their sleeve. Pun intended.

Some people might tell me the Magic swept the season series with the Lakers, 2-0. I’d say they’re right, but I’d also say that All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson, was the Magic’s leading scorer in both games and he has been out since early February with a torn labrum in his shoulder.

People might also say Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus were unstoppable against the Cleveland Cavaliers and will probably do the same against the Lakers.

True, those guys played great, but each of their statistics were inflated because the Cavs didn’t have the players to defend them. Besides LeBron James, Cleveland’s roster is basically made up of point guards and centers. Players who should be guarding Shaquille O’Neal-types were forced to defend faster, smaller, skill players like the aforementioned Magic men.

That will not be the case with the Lakers because Kobe Bryant, Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom are more than capable of playing excellent perimeter defense.

Why am I so sure the Lakers will win this series? First, the odds are on their side. The Lakers have home-court advantage, and in the last 25 years, only six teams have won the title without it. If I said that you could go to Vegas with a 76 percent chance of winning, then you’d empty your bank account and floor it to Sin City. Those are the same odds the Lakers have to win the Larry O’Brien trophy for the 15th time. Still not convinced? Well, numbers aren’t sexy.

Just last week, I watched both teams win their conference and earn a trip to the Finals. Los Angeles was all business. They accepted their new hats, smiled for the cameras and went on their way. Orlando, on the other hand, acted like they just won the title. Confetti poured in from all angles, the players smiled like 5-year-olds who were just given a lifetime pass to Disney World. Notice a difference?

Oftentimes when a team is so excited about reaching the peak, right before the summit, they fall. The Lakers have been there before, they know what it takes to win and they will do just that.

Los Angeles is deep. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol will prove that Dwight Howard isn’t the true man of steel. Kobe will torch the Magic and will earn his first NBA Finals MVP. Phil Jackson will win his record 10th championship and the city of angels will celebrate once again. Lakers in six.

A Glimpse

I'm taking a video production class this semester. I was given an assignment to create a "personal statement" that I can show to my class. Our professor told us that we could pretty much do whatever we wanted, as long as it represents us. I thought it would be funny to tape various members of my family saying a little something about me. I had never used Windows Movie Maker or uploaded anything to YouTube but that's not true anymore. The statement had to be between 30-60 seconds and no more.

I think it's really funny. Give it a look and then give it another look.

Enjoy...

Quote of the Day

"Nothing will be settled with a gun. Nothing will be settled with a fire bomb. And nothing will be settled with a rock...it takes no courage to get in the back of a crowd and throw a rock. Rather, it takes courage to stand up on your own two feet and look anyone straight in the eye and say, 'I will not be beaten.'"

~Thurgood Marshall

...I like it

I've Seen it All

From a very young age I have enjoyed a humorous situation. I welcome laughter in all contexts. I typically shy away from vulgar or stupid comedy because it doesn't take anything to curse and refer to body parts over and over. On the other hand...real comedy, wittiness, clever thinking, merrymaking, whatever...is priceless.

I truly appreciate smart writing and television sitcoms have helped refine my sense of humor over the years. Way back when, Leonardo throwing a piece of ice cream pizza at Michelangelo was exhilarating. Thank the heavens for man's progression.

I came across the following scene from the British sitcom, Extras, and it's funnier and funnier each time I watch it. It stars Ricky Gervais, a comic genius and mind behind the oringal BBC version of "The Office," well...just have a look.



Sure, it's kind of weird. But it's hilarious! Go watch it again and pay attention to Gervais' facial expressions as he really thinks Patrick Stewart (playing himself) is disturbed. It's so utterly random that I can't help but love it!

Randomness makes funniness. I should patent that phrase.

If it interests you...

...to read about sports then check out my articles every Wednesday at: www.dailyutahchronicle.com

For now, my stories are straight up news, but I am hoping to mix in some good editorial stuff in the future.

My first article was published today. It's about four former Utah football players and how their dreams of playing in the NFL are still alive.

Check it out!

http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/sports/former-utes-look-to-sign-as-free-agents-in-nfl-1.1752628

5.14

Happy First Anniversary, Babe!




















































































































I LOVE YOU.

The Movie of My Life

So, I was thinking about who would play me, Matt Sanchez, in a movie of my life. As I pondered this question...my sights were set higher. If there was a movie of my life, who would play everyone in my life? :) With a little help from myheritage.com, my wife and my own personal discretion...I have accumulated a star-studded cast, that I am sure will do us all proud. I thought this film would be a comedy but I'm sure it would have action, drama with a documentary twist. It's a dromactentary! I tried to fit as many people as I could for this and if you don't see yourself, check out the sequel. ;)

Matt Sanchez will be played by Nick Lachey

Manda Sanchez will be played by Kristin Cavallari

Jeff Sanchez will be played by Adam Sandler

Kristin Sanchez will be played by Ashlee Simpson

Chad Elder will be played by a young Frank Sinatra

Derek Judd will be played by a young Patrick Swayze

Kristi Judd will be played by Amanda Peet

Corbin "Corga" Talley will be played by Jerry Seinfeld

Stef Talley will be played by Kate Beckinsale

Kyle Hansen will be played Ben Affleck

Adi Hansen will be played by Demi Moore

Eric Palmer will be played by former Utah Ute, Paul Kruger

Danielle Palmer will be played by Jessica Simpson

Dave Hascall will be played by Gavin Rossdale

Ricky Shelton will be played by Anderson Cooper

Creighton Lowe will be played by Jim Caviezel

Jooge Wilding will be played by Viggo Mortensen

Leif Elder will be played by his twin Kevin Bacon

Ashy Talley will be played by Gwyneth Paltrow. haha!

Michael "Goo" Sanchez will be played by Matt Damon :)

Katie Elder will be played by Ashley Olsen

Dad Sanchez will be played Steven Segal (they both have black belts)

Linden Hansen will be played by Angelina Jolie

Preston Hansen will be played by Matt LeBlanc

Brooke Hansen will be played by Kim Raver

Dan Markham will be played by a young Mel Gibson

Leslie Markham will be played by Andie Macdowell

Steve Hansen will be played by Homer Simpson

My Mother will be played by "the queen" Helen Mirren (they're both feisty)

Colleen Hansen will be played by Diane Keaton (sarcasm is not lacking with this duo)

There ya have it. This post has been in the works for quite a while. It started with a thought and came together so nicely. :) Those are some Sanchez Thoughts...what are yours??