Craving for #Desserts

I woke up hungry and craving for a dessert. It's 1:09 AM and thank goodness today is my day off. I do not want to work like a zombie at work, would you? I used my #keurig and got me a big cup of coffee and decided to have a #Starbucks #vanilla flavor and I also have a slice of a chocolate cake.

The thing is ... I seldom eat desserts but when I do, I can eat 3 slices at once. Weird right? That's me!

After eating these yummy goodness, I hope I can go back to bed easy. I am watching the Smithsonian channel too. Anyway, do you have this craving at wee hours too?

#Holiday #GiftIdea : #Chocolates

Time was when Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each #Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting.

"It started when my aunt sent her pecan-rolls recipe," Mrs. Cavanaugh recalled. "I gave the recipe my own touch and started making the yummy specialties. Then I began dipping chocolates. Our friends and neighbors loved these treats, encouraging me to start a candy business. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea.'"

Her husband George and children Carla, Lorraine, Calvin, Colene and Genise rallied, helping Mrs. Cavanaugh fill demands for her homemade sweets.

...In 1972, the family moved to Utah, leaving good friends and their beloved cattle ranch.

"It was a difficult decision, especially for George," Mrs. Cavanaugh said. "He was excited about making our new venture, which we chose to call Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies, a great success. We felt Utah was blessed with good chocolates and that we would enjoy - and could compete with - those who pride themselves on making excellent chocolates."

Millions of pounds of chocolates later, Mrs. Cavanaugh's candies have earned a reputation for unquestionable excellence....

Ask chocolate aficionados. They will direct those seeking the best chocolates to the popular Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies. My readers receive Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates use promo code: usfamily2014 http://www.mrscavanaughs.com/

Newman's Own Organics Are Simply My Favorite

By far, NOO is the most generous company that I worked for and I am happy to tell you that their products are worth buying for. When I told a cousin that I received a big box with generous amount of products from Newman's Own Organics, she was blown away! She knew about Newman because she uses their products such as the sauce and dressing. I told her that Newman's Own and Newman's Own Organics (NOO) are separate companies.

NOO started as a division of Newman's Own in 1993 by Nell Newman and her business partner, Peter Meehan. In early 2001, NOO became a separate company. The two companies have separate lines of products and as you can see the photos below, all products came from Newman's Own Organics or NOO.

Their products are the following:
1. Pretzels
2. Chocolate Bars
3. Fig Newman's
4. Family Recipe Cookies
5. Chocolate Cups
6. Newman's O
7. Pops Corn
8. Alphabet Cookies
9. Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
10. Coffee
11. Dried Fruit
12. Pet Food
13. Hermits
14. Mints
15. Royal Tea
16. Licorice
In the box which was packed perfectly are the following:

6 chocolate bars; 1 bag of Prunes, 4 mints, 4 Newman's O, 4 licorice, 2 bags of pretzels, 1 hermits, 1 Fig, 2 chocolate cups, 2 Family Recipe Cookies and 1 Alphabet Cookies. A total of 28 delicious treats and honestly, I still have the pretzels and cookies today.

Here are my favorites:

1.) Newman’s Own Organics Hermits are old-fashioned soft cookie. I tried the 9 oz pack Cinnamon flavor and in the pack has twelve cookies. Hermits have delicious organic raisins and sweetened with organic molasses. It is spicy (not overpowering) and chewy cookies. Nutritional Facts of Cinnamon: Serving Size: 1 cookie (22g), Calories per Serving: 80, Calories from fat: 15, Total Fat: 1.5g (saturated fat: 1gm), Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 60mg, Total Carbohydrates: 17g (dietary fiber less than 1g, sugars: 10g), Protein:1. How I wish I could have more of the hermits.

2.) The Prunes from the Dried Fruit line of NOO products are another favorite of mine. I can't get enough of it. When I have my cereals for breakfast, I added prunes for texture, very filling. This is a healthy snack because it has high antioxidant qualities. Nutritional Facts of Prunes: Calories 110 (calories from fat 0), Total Fat 0g (saturated fat 0g, trans fat 0g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 5mg, Total Carbohydrates 26g (dietary fiber 2g, sugars 13g), Protein 1g

3.) Fig Newmans is sinfully delicious! This fig bar is made with organic figs, organic sugar, organic flour, and without hydrogenated oils.The name is licensed from Kraft, sounds unique though and I like the name given. This is by far the most tastiest fig bar that I ever tried. I only got one pack but, I was craving for more so; I went out and buy. I highly recommend this Fat Free Fig Newman. The Nutritional Facts of Fat-Free: Serving Size - 2 bars (32g) Calories per Serving 100, Calories From Fat 0, Total Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 150mg, Total Carb 24g, Dietary Fiber less than 1g, Sugars 13g, Protein 2g

4.) I just can't get enough of the Double Chocolate Chip from NOO. For the Nutritional Facts: Calories 150, Fat Calories 70, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 3.5g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 100mg, Total Carbohydrates 22g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 11g, Protein 2g.

Oh my goodness, my free goodies are almost run out. Soon, I will be out grocery shopping for these favorite goodies I mentioned. I truly love NOO products and I highly recommend NOO products to you and your family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT and LIKE:
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I received the products of Neman's Own Organics for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I used and tried personally; and believe will be good for my readers. I am not compensated in this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Chocolate Coated Cherry

Hubby's festive dessert is Chocolate Coated Cherry especially at Christmas time. It is creamy, smooth in texture, sweet and juicy. It is really rich so; this candy is his favorite. As for me, I can only eat one piece with a full glass of water.

I am not really fond of chocolates because I prefer chips. I like white chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered nuts. How about you?

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

This is my favorite Asher's Chocolate covered pretzels. I like chocolates but, not too much. I prefer salty snacking so; chocolate covered pretzels are my kind'a snacks to munch in any given time. There is a balance taste to it, salty and sweet and the latter is not overpowering. Honestly, I can't eat a whole bar of chocolates unless there is a pretzel or nuts in it.

Now, what about you? Which do you prefer, a bar of pure chocolates or chocolate covered pretzels?

Delightful Treat: Ashers Chocolate Review

When I sent an email to Asher's company for a product review request, I thought they ignored me in fact, they did not reply to my email. Guess what came in the mail? A medium size Styrofoam cooler and inside are two boxes of yummy goodness chocolates.

Shipping:
True to their word, when they ship their products to an address where the temperatures are above 70 degrees ( like what we have here in Florida), they really pack the product carefully with dry ice in an insulated container. The two boxes of chocolates arrived in perfect condition. I was really impressed!

Asher's Chocolates:

I received the Chocolate-Smothered Pretzels and Sugar Free Milk Cordial Cherries. The latter is my husband's favorite. He loves it and he made a review about it too. Click HERE.  I have to admit, I can't eat pure chocolates that is the reason I choose the pretzels.

The chocolate smothered pretzels are so crispy and since it was lightly salted, it became my favorite. The box actually has the assortment of pretzels covered in three variants: milk, dark and white chocolate. My most favorite is the pretzels covered with white chocolate.

Asher's Legacy:

Asher's Chocolates has a charming and humble beginnings. In 1892, there was a small candy shop located in the heart of Philadelphia and the legacy of Chester A. Asher began. In its Fourth generation, the candy shop that gives quality and great tasting goodies has now became a chocolate factory  in its new home in Pennsylvania. Asher’s has maintained the tradition of quality and delicious American chocolates.

At present, Asher's Chocolates is known as the oldest continuously family-owned confection company in the United States. Their products include: Chocolates and Treats, Gift Baskets and Boxes, and Sugar Free Products.

If you need something delightful for any occasions such as Christmas, Valentine's and Mother's Day, send them something sweet that they will never forget.
For more details, please Like Asher's Facebook Page.
Follow @AshersChocolate in Twitter.
You might as well Pin Asher's boards in Pinterest.

I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I used personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am not compensated with this post. All opinions are my own.

My First Superbowl Cake

Are you ready for the Superbowl XLVII? So, what are you waiting for? Bring on that chicken wings, hotdogs, chips and dip. My husband cooked chicken wings, pork and beans, and New York style potato salad just for the two of us. I decided to make an NFL Superbowl chocolate cake but, I forgot to buy the white frosting. I immediately check out Youtube and I found a butter frosting video. Sweet! Here’s my effort.

I was just being resourceful and found this oblong shape culinary bakeware which is perfect for baking my football cake. This is my first NFL Superbowl Cake and first time to make my butter frosting too. Did you know that this is my first time to use a decorator's set too? I guess I will be baking more and decorate my cake from now on.

I took this photo from my blackberry phone. Wanna have a bite?

I think I will make this a tradition so; see you next year. Thanks for stopping and checking on my blog today. Come by tomorrow okay? Enjoy watching the Superbowl Sunday y’all.

Lots of Chocolates and Pretzels

My husband is excited to check the mail for the last two weeks. You know why? It is because of these big boxes full of yummy foodies. The products of Newman's Own Organics and Ashers arrived on the same day. My husband knew that there are chocolates in it. When the company is generous, I can tell that their business is doing great. I am so impressed by the amount of products sent by these companies.

Here's my husband trying to open the box of Ashers. There are two boxes of chocolates and pretzels inside the styrofoam with ice packs.

This is for me because I like pretzels covered with chocolates.

And this box is for my husband who loves chocolates and cherries combined.

After the "taste test" hehehe, I will review their products. Check it out next week guys. Newman's Own Organics will give free products to the lucky reader here so; watch out for it. Thanks for stopping by.

IKEA's Choklad Mork: Dark Chocolate

I admit, I am not a fan of chocolates. That's a good thing right? I just don't like sweets. I can eat a few tiny M&M's but, not really the whole big bar. Of course, I crave for chocolates but, once in a blue moon. I like munching the dark chocolate which we all know; it reduces the possibility of a heart attack especially when consumed regularly in small amounts.The semi-sweet chocolate is a dark chocolate with a low sugar content and that's the reason why I like it better. Aside from that, I also like the bitter-sweet chocolate which is a chocolate liquor. This type of chocolate has less sugar and more liquor. As I have said, I am not a fan of chocolates but, these two are my preference. Oh, and I also like white chocolate.If you like to shop in IKEA and familiar with the food display, you probably recognize this dark chocolate. This is really good and one of my favorites. Check it out in IKEA home furnishing store.

Chocolate Crackle Cookie

My husband is a cookie monster LOL so; once a week I baked cookies. This is my first time to bake a crackle cookie. If you have ALDI store in your area, buy the KRUSTEAZ mix which has 3 packs in one box.

Here's the ingredients: 1 pouch of chocolate crackle cookie mix, powdered sugar, 3 eggs, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Pre-heat oven for 350F and prepare a cookie sheet. Set aside 1/3 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl ( for coating). Put the cookie mix into a medium bowl and add the oil and eggs. Stir until soft dough forms, should be sticky. Drop a rounded tablespoon dough into the powdered sugar and gently coat it with the sugar. Roll it into a ball and double coat it with sugar. Place the cookie dough into the cookie sheet and bake 11-13 minutes. The cookie will be soft and looks like underbaked. Let it cool. It taste delicious! Be careful though, it is really sweet! It's not bad if you have this once in a while. Enjoy!

Missing the Beignet

Don't know what's gotten into me now. I want to eat Beignet but the problem, I am nowhere near New Orleans. Oh I miss beignet in Cafe du Monde at French Quarter.

When we were in Mississippi, when hubby and I feels like going to New Orleans, we hit the road right then. We just go to Cafe Du Monde and eat it. Now? Got no choice but, just drool LOL.

Health Benefits of Chocolates

When I was at my hometown and my husband was left at home, he sent me chocolates and flowers by mail. I stayed with my mom for three months because I was doing a home project and I did the planning, budgeting and financing of the work to be done. When the package arrived, my nieces are excited because they knew I will give them their share.

My husband loves sending chocolates by post even before we were married. Chocolates are sweet, so did my husband. Anyway, a chocolate can be very beneficial to human health. It uses a lot of cocoa which contains plenty of Flavonoids and citrin which helps maintain the body’s blood pressure.

Are you a big fan of the sweet stuff? There's something to be joyful about loving the chocolates but, remember, too much of everything can harm our body. It is okay to treat ourselves with our chocolate cravings in regular basis but, make sure it is not too much. Eating chocolates improve blood flow, it decrease the risk of stroke and lower the blood pressure.

It also aids in balancing blood sugar levels especially if you eat dark chocolates. The risk of getting diabetes is minimized because the food enhances the body’s metabolism of blood sugar. Chocolates help lessen a person’s chances of getting heart attacks since it keeps the LDL cholesterol low and the HDL cholesterol high. For more information, click on the links here.

Olive Garden Chocolate and Mint Candy

Grazie! This is an Italian word expressing gratitude. At the end of a hearty meal, Olive Garden gives out chocolate and mint candies to the customers. It is their way of saying "Thank You" for patronizing their restaurant.

My hubby loves the taste of this candy. It's minty and soothing! He eats all of these every time and left me with nothing, LOL!

Mint Chocolate Candy

Have you been to Olive Garden? Right after you are done dining, they will give your bills and a mint-chocolate candy which looks like this. Of course, one piece of mint chocolate candy won't satisfy your taste buds right? So, I was so surprise to find this Andes, it's a chocolate candy with mint flavor. If you buy a box, it's affordable too for less than $3.

Then, craving-satisfaction will have no place if you buy a box of minty chocolate. Oh well, so far I saw this in Rousses Grocery Store in Mississippi and haven't seen it here in Florida yet.