Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

My newest addiction are these strawberry yogurt parfaits and they are super easy to make.

All you need is yogurt, I use Greek Yogurt from Fage. It's plain greek yogurt with a 130 calories and 23 grams of protein.

Put some yogurt on the base of a dish, then a layer of cut fresh strawberries, and then another layer of yogurt. I then top it all off with sliced almonds, shredded coconut, drizzle of honey and on some days I add some chocolate chips.

This a perfect breakfast treat or a sweet dessert for any day of the week.

Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate brownies are my very favorite. Last year I made these heart shaped brownies with dark chocolate ganache and shredded coconut. These brownies are chewy, moist, and cake like. And just saying, they taste extra delicious warm, with scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzled hot fudge.

To makes these brownies you will need:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick and a half stick of butter
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Place parchment paper in a 9x13 inch pan and preheat oven to 350ºF.

Combine the sugars and butter in a microwave safe bowl and cook in the microwave until the butter is melted. Allow to cool slightly and then add the eggs.

Combine the cocoa, flour, salt, and soda and add to the butter mixture, stirring until smooth.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into the parchment covered pan and bake for about 30 minutes.

Heart Shaped Butter

Have you ever heard the saying "Everything tastes better with butter", well I have to agree, but maybe not everything, I mean I wouldn't add it to my smoothie or spaghetti and meatballs, but butter does have a way of making certain foods richer, like I add it (in moderation of course) to my waffles and pancakes, and mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes. 

To celebrate Valentine's I made a whole plate of heart-shaped butter. They are super easy to make. 

All you need is:

• A cold and firm Stick of Butter
• A Mini Heart Shaped Cookie cutter

 Next, slice the butter into squares, lay them on a piece of parchment.

 Next press the mini heart shaped cookie butter into the square slices.

That's it!! I told you it was super easy, now you can add it to any dish and make it look lovely.

Happy Valentine's weekend!!

Valentine Peanut Butter Chocolate Heart Cookies

One of my favorite types of cookies are peanut butter blossoms, but I only make them around the holidays, but when I saw these cute heart shaped chocolates I thought these would bring my peanut butter blossoms into a Valentine treat. 

What you need to make these cookies:

Bag of Hershey's Valentine Heart Shaped Chocolates (I got mine from the market, but found these here)
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup additional granulated sugar for rolling

 Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into about 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar (optional) place on cookie sheet. I like to put parchment down on my cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

This makes about 25-30 cookies (depending on the size of peanut butter balls you make). These came out so soft, chewy and the chocolate in the middle was so smooth and soft. It was heavenly. Perfect treat to put in a pretty box and wrap a large bow, or for you to indulge in.

Free Valentine Printables

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make your Valentine feel special. There are so many ways of doing things for your loved one. Whether it's going for a walk, making breakfast or dinner, or printing these free printables.

A Delicate Gift makes really cute banners, straw wrappers, and other party supplies. These "I Like the Way you Roll" are some of the most adorable tags I have seen for Valentine's. These make great little Valentine gift for the boys in your life. http://www.adelicategift.com/2015/02/11/valentines-day-class-gift-free-printable

These adorable 5 page Valentine printables from Tiny Me are some of the cutest I have seen. Printable available here: http://makemytinyme.com/printables/product.php?designcode=VP001-01

These beautiful and stunning pink watercolors include chocolate bar wrappers, tags, and coffee wraps. Available at: https://liagriffith.com/printable-valentines-day-labels/

And this is just a cute hearts Desktop background, perfect background on your computer for the month of February. From Design Love Fest: http://www.designlovefest.com/2013/02/dress-your-tech-20/

A perfect Valentine treat to have after ordering out Chinese good. They looks just like the real thing. There are four pre-written fortunes range from romantic to racy, while the other four are left blank so you can write your own little fortune for your loved one.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/printable-valentines-day-fortune-cookies

Mini Pizza with Heart Pepperoni

Who doesn't love pepperoni pizza? It's my favorite kind, a perfect classic that the Ninja Turtles would approve of. I was craving one, so I made some mini pizzas with cute mini pepperoni hearts. Nothing says I love you more than pizza, that just a personal observation.

I simply bought a bag of pepperoni and using a mini heart cookie cutter I cut heart shapes into the pepperoni slices.

Put some tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella on the pita pockets.

Next, is the fun part, decorate with any toppings you love. Put them in the oven at 350 degrees until the pita pocket is toasted and the cheese is melted. Cute and perfect mini lunch for Valentine's Day. This can also be a cute family dinner with make your own pizza night for Valentine's Day.

Bananas and Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate

One of my favorite things to eat are fruits and chocolate. Combining both is the ultimate treat for me. Getting ready for Valentine's Day I grabbed some organic strawberries and bananas and dark chocolate and got to work. These are not only a great little alternative to a sweet treat, but put them in a box with a red bow and they make a great gift to give.

First, slice bananas, I recommend cutting thick slices, even more think then the slices I cut.

Melt dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. I usually add chocolate morsels to a small cereal bowl, and then microwave 30 seconds and then mix and then add them in for another 30 seconds. I keep a good eye and stop when about 75 % are melted, then I keep stirring and usually by then it all melts. You never want to over heat the chocolate, the opposite will happen, and the chocolate will get hard and chunky to work with. 

Next, with a fork, dip the banana slice into the chocolate and then bring it back up. You might have to dip again. Ensure that it is completely covered. And then place it on a piece of parchment paper. Don't wait until they are cooled to decorated. I added sprinkled sea salt and shredded coconut to mine.

They came out delicious. The heat of the chocolate warms up the bananas and secrets this yummy natural syrup.

Now for my favorite part, dipping strawberries in chocolate. Using organic strawberries, wash them thoroughly, leave the stems on them, and dry them.

Next, holding the stems dip the strawberries in chocolate and place them on the parchment paper.

After a few minutes the chocolate will harden, or you can put them in the fridge. I recommend adding crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or any other toppings.

Enjoy!

Valentine Gift Guide 2016

Valentine's day is in about 2 weeks, not to add any pressure or worry to you. Just a friendly reminder that you need to get cracking on planning something sweet and special for  your loved ones.

For me, Valentine's day isn't just for our partners, but for everyone we love, our family and friends too. I like to send a little special something to everyone who has a place in my heart and let them know I am thinking about them.

I have been already planning on some sweet treats I am going to be baking and fun crafts I am going to be making in the upcoming week to give to friends and loved ones.

Many people think Valentine's Day is just a made up day and excuse for consumerism, and hey there might be a chance that this long-time tradition has been going on for so long because of that, but any day we celebrate love is a good day to me. As some of you might already know, I usually celebrate Valentine's day about a week before. I have gone out on Valentine's Day before and I always feel rushed and the crowds kill me every time. So after 14 years together we just like to spend a night in, order out, make homemade popcorn, watch a movie, and indulge in chocolate, that's the perfect night for me.

As I am planning little surprise Valentine gifts and boxes to send to loved ones, I made a small list of some gift ideas, some classic options like chocolates and some with a unique twist like the adorable Moschino teddy bear perfume. It's two gifts in one, really. Its a cute bear and a perfume once you rip his head off.

‘Moschino Toy’ Eau de Toilette - Fashion Designer and Creative Director Jeremy Scott created this unique eau de toilette as a nod to his and house founder Franco Moschino's unabashed love of teddy bears. Who knew? And the scent is unisex, so ladies, you can also give this bear to your guys.

Candy Hearts Banner - Make Valentine's Day a little party with this cute banner that you can hang in your office, or you can make one yourself to decorate the table with sweet treats. I think a lovely idea is to surprise your loved one with decorations, like heart shaped balloons.

Heart and Arrow Stud Earrings -  Jewelry is a traditional gift to give on Valentine's day. This cute set of stud earrings from Kate Spade New York is a cute heart and arrow. Mix and match stud earrings is the new cool thing to do, so I hear, I haven't personally tried it, but if I am, I would do it with these.

bkr Glass Water Bottle - bkr releases a limited edition glass water bottles every season. And this is an adorable one. I drink over 65 ounces of water a day, it's a constant goal of mine. I make tiny games in my mind on how much water I need to drink before lunch time. Drinking water is imperative, and something I bet you need to do much more of. Did you know that once you feel thirsty, that means you are already dehydrated? This bottle is BPA-free, phthalate-free and holds a whopping 32 fl. oz, that means you only need to drink two bottles of these a day.

Printable Valentine's Day Fortune Cookies - This is my absolutely favorite and it's free. There are four pre-written fortunes range from romantic to racy, while the other four are left blank so you can write your own little fortune for your loved one.

To assemble the cookie, simply print the cookie shapes and fortune strips, read the included directions for folding and filling, and add a dab of glue to finish.

Order Chinese food, and replace their fortune cookies with these. There might be room for a little gift in there too.

What I Love About You by My Book - Sweet and personal, this small hardcover book spells out exactly what you love about a special someone. Complete each page's fill-in-the-blank responses and simple prompts with racy disclosures or heartfelt sentiments, and you have the perfect personalized keepsake. I would also tuck in some photos.

Stella McCartney Lips iPhone 6 Case -  This iPhone case is just plain fun to give to a friend or sister on Valentine's day with a bunch of chocolate lips.

Godiva - So I have a confession to make. Dang it. I love chocolate. Who doesn't? I eat chocolate everynight, please don't tell my Taekwondo Master. And I have a special little place in my heart for Godiva chocolates. There are just so many yummy truffles that they make. This little box comes with 15 heart-shaped chocolates and truffles.