The Christmas Chocolates

Christmas is such a special time of year! All the good food and wonderful Holiday treats make December a treasure to remember. Growing up we had an uncle who loved sharing a big box of Russell Stover chocolates with our family each Christmas. I'd never seen so many different chocolate delights to choose from!

I've never quite mastered the fine art of making candy with chocolate as well as the fine folks in Abilene Kansas where Russell Stovers has made their chocolates for decades! They have a real talent. And we mustn't forget the good folks in Hershey, PA who have been making chocolate since - probably shortly after the pilgrims enjoyed their first Thanksgiving!

People all over this wonderful world love chocolate! And health pundits seem to think a little chocolate is really good for you! So have some of your favorite Holiday treats this Christmas and enjoy the sweet and rich taste of chocolate that people everywhere have enjoyed for centuries!

If you want to impress your family, friends, or coworkers this week try your hand at making some of this delicious - Double Fudge:

2 cups of granulated sugar,
2 squares of Baker's Chocolate,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 tablespoonful of butter.

Boil seven minutes; then beat and spread in buttered tin to cool.

2 cups of brown sugar,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract,
1 cup of chopped walnuts, chopped fine,
1/3 of a stick of butter.

Boil ten minutes; then beat and pour on top of fudge already in pan.
When cool, cut in squares.

Wrap in a colorful plastic or foil package and add a red or green bow! Your family and loved ones are sure to enjoy this rich and tasty double fudge!

Merry Christmas!

We can go back to eating healthy next week!

Eat Healthy on Christmas

Eating healthy on Christmas? Have I gone mad? Or lost all sense of reality? Before you decide I'm a total quack - or dork ( I am ) maybe it IS possible to sneak in at least one healthy mini meal or make a quick and healthy smoothie to include with all the goodies everyone will most certainly be enjoying over the next couple days.

So watch this video - from Natalie, the nutrition expert - and then get out your best stainless steel cookware and cook up some Quinoa ( Keen-Wa ) and mix in some broccoli and peas. Then enjoy all the candies, and baked goods being shared during this wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas!

Here is Natalie's excellent video:

The Christmas morning treat

Christmas morning brings a special treat in our house - Dad's biscuits and gravy. After cooking a ton of breakfast sausage he uses the grease and some ground up sausage to make his own delicious gravy. His home made biscuits are a real treat - especially with his mouth watering gravy heaped on top.
Forget the presents - just let me taste Dad's biscuits and gravy and I'm getting an early glimpse of Heaven on Christmas morning!
So, when you find yourself with forty-five minutes or so to prepare a really satisfying breakfast, dig out your best stainless steel cookware and mix up your favorite sausage gravy. You can use this delicious topping on top of your best biscuits or even on toast. I love it on hash browns - or fried potato wedges.
Why not cheat on your diet for one day ? Enjoy and celebrate the birth of Jesus with your family and loved ones and eat your favorite treats. Leave your worries behind at this special time of year. Self Discipline is good and it can take a day off every now and then - like Christmas morning! Eating Healthy doesn't mean we can't enjoy old family traditions.

Easy Christmas Fudge

Today's Christmas fudge recipe. Give it a try. Share some with your friends and loved ones.

What you'll need:
1 3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup Evaporated Milk
3 tablespoons butter (unsalted if you have it)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 3/4 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup crushed walnuts

Line an 8 inch baking pan with foil.

In your favorite saucepan from your best stainless steel cookware combine the sugar, milk, butter and salt. stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Continue stirring and let it boil for a few minutes ( 4 or 5 ). Remove from stove top and stir in the mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, walnuts ( if you like ) and the vanilla extract.

Pour into the foil-lined baking pan and refrigerate for a couple hours. remove from the refrigerator and take your delicious creation out of the pan and cut into little 1 inch squares. See if you can eat just one! Share with someone you love. Find some mistletoe and..... well... you know the rest. Merry Christmas!