Who doesn’t love Valentines Day? The sweet treats everywhere you look at the store, super sweet hand written ‘love you’ notes hidden around the house, and gorgeous bunches of roses! Sweetness galore!!!
Are you decorating cookie’s this year? Here’s some fun ideas to make them super SPECIAL!
Check out these 6 cute new ways to decorate Valentines Cookies!
If you read my post a month ago, you already know I am in LOVE with Yo Crunch! This yogurt company has come up with the best idea! Combine healthy, delicious yogurt with an awesome variety of healthy toppings and mix-in fruit flavors! The result? Pure yummy bliss!!! They even have Greek yogurt varieties too! Read my other post here!
Well, you’ll bet I was ever so surprised when a big box arrived at my door the other day with a new surprise from Yo Crunch! They have launched a decadent new variety called “pie parfait” and a super super healthy addition to their “Greek parfait line.” They were very generous and sent me some of everything to try and it is SOO great, I just had to let you all know! The new pie parfait comes in three varieties: apple, cherry and triple berry. It is vanilla yogurt with pie filling you mix in and there is even a crumbly pie topping to go in as well! Can I say GENIUS!! It is the perfect after dinner dessert! And the great thing they are all around 120 calories, including the topping! It was a very hard call, but I think apple may be my favorite by a hair! These babies are the perfect size though! I am trying to stick to my healthy New Year’s resolution and these things are a great addition! The other variety is a super healthy Greek parfait with toasted almonds!! I love the other varieties with granola, check them all out here, but the toasted almonds just plain knock it out of the park! (I am sitting here eating one as I type!!) 
The new varieites come in raspberry & acai and also pomegranite & blueberry. I found my newest favorite post workout snack today!! These guys are the perfect mini meal with 190 calories and 12 grams of protein! Thanks Yo Crunch for all the yummy goodness! This yogurt is REAL Mom Recommended and I hope you guys get your hands on some of the new varieties! Yo Crunch is available nationwide in the yogurt section. Check them out online for coupons! Follow them on facebook and Twitter for even more yummy fun!
When you hear the word chocolate, do you become overwhelmed with feelings of warmth, passion, intense cravings and excitement? If so, you might be a chocoholic. Rather than remain in denial, it’s about time you fessed up to your love of the cocoa bean. This Valentine’s Day, embrace your infatuation for chocolate desserts and delight your lover at the same time by making one of these irresistible chocolate cakes.
The following cake recipes can also be paired with other great gifts, including a beautiful bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers, a personalized gift, elegant jewelry or a gift certificate from a luxury salon or spa. Give as little or as much as you wish to your sweetie—just make sure you give it with all your heart. V-Day is a special time to acknowledge those you love, so make it count this year with these delicious chocolate desserts.
1) Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake
Servings: 18
Ingredients
1 pkg. (8 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate, divided
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping (Do not thaw.)
2 Tbsp. sliced almonds
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Chop 2 chocolate squares. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into 2 (9-inch) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
Microwave whipped topping and remaining chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 minute. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken.
Stack cake layers on plate, filling and frosting with whipped topping mixture. Sprinkle with nuts. Keep refrigerated.
Tip for Baking Chocolate Cakes
While a fudge cake is fabulously fattening, you can also make a low-fat version of this recipe that’s just as tasty by using fat-free chocolate pudding, reduced-fat sour cream and light whipped topping.
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2) Chocolate-Smothered Oreo Cake
Servings: 16
Ingredients
1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil’s food cake mix
4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups thawed whipped topping
12 Oreo cookies, coarsely crushed
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Prepare cake batter and bake in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
Microwave chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on high 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in whipped topping and crushed cookies.
Place 1 cake layer on plate, spread with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand 10 minutes or until firm. Keep refrigerated.
Tip for Baking Chocolate Cakes
If your sweetheart is staying true to his or her resolve to lose weight, divide the cake into smaller slices beforehand to keep temptation at bay. As long as the portions are controlled, an occasional splurge is okay (and even advised).
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3) Triple-the-Chocolate Cake
Servings: 18
Ingredients
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
3 cups thawed whipped topping, divided
1 pkg. (8 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate
1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Beat all ingredients except whipped topping, chocolate squares and berries in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Pour into 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan; invert onto wire rack. Gently remove pan. Cool cake completely. Transfer to plate.
Reserve 2 Tbsp. whipped topping. Microwave remaining whipped topping and chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Drizzle over cake. Immediately drop scant teaspoonfuls of the reserved whipped topping around top of cake; draw toothpick through center of each to resemble star. Fill center of cake with berries. Keep refrigerated.
Tip for Baking Chocolate Cakes
When baking a cake, the cake pan should never be more than 3/4 full to allow enough room for rising. Begin testing the cake for doneness eight minutes before the timer goes off.
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4) Chocolate Molten Cake with Peanut Butter
Servings: 10
Ingredients
4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp. flour
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup thawed whipped topping
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F.
Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on high 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted. Stir with whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in powdered sugar. Blend in whole eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour; set aside. Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar and vanilla until well blended.
Pour half the chocolate batter into 1-qt. souffle dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with layers of cream cheese mixture and remaining chocolate batter.
Bake 20 minutes or until edge is set but center is still slightly soft. Cool slightly. Serve topped with whipped topping.
Tip for Baking Chocolate Cakes
For a little variation to this cake recipe, use custard cups instead of a souffle dish and layer batters as directed. Then, put the cups on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for approximately 13–14 minutes. (The edges of custard cups should be set while centers are somewhat soft.) Makes 7 servings.
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5) Rich Mahogany Sour Cream Cake
Servings: 16
Ingredients
3 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 cup water
1 container (8 oz.) sour cream
1-3/4 cups cake flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
Chocolate frosting
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Cover bottoms of pans with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper; set aside. Microwave chocolate and water in medium microwaveable bowl on high 1 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after each minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted; cool completely. Stir in sour cream.
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture alternately with the chocolate mixture, beating after each addition until well blended. Add vanilla; mix well. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Fill and frost with chocolate frosting.
Tip for Baking Chocolate Cakes
Want to enhance the taste of your chocolate cake even more? Add a half-cup of freshly brewed gourmet coffee to the recipe to intensify the chocolate flavoring. If your Valentine is a coffee lover, serve this dessert with a fresh cup of Joe also.
{sp}
Yes, I got ambitious and decided to go ALL OUT for my little one’s birthday. You know they only turn 1 and 3 once! Hehe! So I enlisted the help of my sisters and we went to work in the kitchen.
My yummy cake pops! Impressed???
They were easy to make and made such a fun colorful statement on the counter with our party theme! Basically you use a box cake mix, bake, let cool, crumble and add in a can of frosting, then roll and chill in the fridge. Then the fun part-decorating. Dip in chocolate and sprinkle with fun candies and coatings! You must try them at your next party!
Here’s a step by step cake pops recipe if you want to try them yourself.
Another thing that I have been having fun with is my Tamron Lens. I have loved having the opportunity to shoot with it. I was able to take some fun pictures of the party and I have really loved getting to know the lens. My hubby loves it too! Especially when we are outdoors as he can zoom in on nature and our kids. We get such great shots with every take. I highly recommend you check out Tamron if you are in the market for a new lens. You won’t be disappointed.
Check out this lens:
Tamron 18-270mm all-in-one zoom lens, the world’s lightest, smallest 15x zoom optimized for use on APS-C- DSLRs, continues the pursuit of the ideal all-in one zoom lens. Combining prior award-winning achievements with new engineering breakthroughs yielded the remarkable 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Piezo Drive). Special piezoelectric technology now delivers faster, quieter precision autofocusing. Tamron’s exclusive tri-axial VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, featuring three pairs of driving coils and low-function ball bearings placed around the VC optical group, combats camera shake-related image blur. It’s Tamron VC that allows handheld shooting at as many as four shutter speeds slower than otherwise possible with a dramatically stable viewfinder experience. Compactness and light weight are preserved, thanks in part to the VC mechanism’s newly-developed moving coil mechanism.
Defining compositional freedom the 18-270mm Di-II VC’s incredible 15x zoom range provides a 35mm picture angle equivalency of 28mm to 419mm, with image fidelity assured by advanced optical design featuring LD glass and aspherical optics, working in concert to render crisp, colorful and faithful images.
A 24% reduction in length and 18% reduction in weight
New Year’s resolutions! That is what is right around the corner. Sure, we are all still in full Christmas mode, the Christmas goodies are still pouring in, and although I’ve definitely had my fill of yummy treats, it’s hard to say no to something sweet after dinner.. you know that hankering that comes knocking around 8pm? Well, I have a solution! I recently was generously sent 4 new varieties of ice cream treats to try from Weight Watchers. I love WW. I did the program a number of years ago and saw great results! While I’m not currently on the program, the things I learned back then still help me day to day with my eating… mainly portion control! Like most… shall we say 95% of women (for you 5%, the rest of us respectfully hate you! ) have a sweet tooth monster that seems to attack after dinner. The kiddos are down, there’s finally a minute to sit down and take a breath… and then!….something sweet sounds good!!!! I recommend you try the new varieties of WW ice cream bars to help tame the beast! You won’t be disappointed! I was lucky enough to get to try the following:
I loved them all! The Dulce De Leche was so amazing with ribbons of real caramel running through it! The ice cream was fantastically rich and creamy too! The chocolate dipped strawberry bar was very similar in creamy goodness, except it had ribbons of strawberry filling instead! My hubby and I had a hard time deciding which one we liked more! The dark chocolate raspberry bars were really good too! It is hard to believe there is only 80 calories per bar! The snack size fudge bars are perfect if you just need a quick little treat and don’t want to hardly dent your nutrition at all! They are super creamy and I wasn’t disappointed at all!
You can rest assured that just because these bars come from Weight Watchers, they definitely don’t taste like diet food. If someone had taken the wrappers off and just handed them to me, I would have thought I was eating a gourmet ice cream bar! These would be perfect to keep in the freezer for those times when you just need something sweet and don’t want to ruin your whole day! I also think they would make a perfect addition to the rest of the holidays! You can “indulge” in these instead of all the other stuff that you know you’ll regret eating anyway!… and then you’ll have less to worry about when January 1st comes around and it’s time to get down to business! I know I will!! Happy Snacking! Thanks Weight Watchers!
Weight Watchers ice cream bars are available nationwide at grocery stores in the ice cream aisle.
{I received free product as part of a promotional program with Weight Watchers and MomSelect}
“Tis the Season for eating lots of yummy foods!
This year Pepto-Bismol is teaming up with a holiday Elf to encourage people to enjoy their favorite holiday treats knowing that Pepto has them covered. Check out his great new video that is now airing on television:
Why not indulge, since Pepto-Bismol has got you covered!
· Preparing for the Celebration: Serving platters
· Enjoying the Celebration: iPod shuffle with iTunes gift card
· Recording the Celebration: Pocket camcorder
· Saving the Celebration (if needed!): Pepto-Bismol*
Here’s how to enter for your chance to win:
{Mandatory entry}
Tell us your favorite holiday meal or treat that you love to indulge in this time of year?
Once the mandatory entry is complete, you can gain additional entries from the following:
3 entries – Follow RMRV by Google Friends Connect.
2 entries- “Like” RMRV on Facebook.
2 entries- “Like” Pepto-Bismol on Facebook.
3 entries- Subscribe to RMRV emails.
2 entries- Follow RMRV on Twitter.
2 entries- Follow Pepto-Bismol on Twitter.
1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway and leave us your tweet link. Easy tweeting: {use the tweet button below this post}
3 entries-Share this giveaway via the share link at the bottom of this post.
5 entries- Blog about this entry and leave us the link.
You have until December 27th @ 11:59 PM EDT to enter the giveaway. All giveaways are open to USA only. This giveaway is sponsored by P& G.
Have you ever eaten chocolate that isn’t the kind you find in the checkout line at the grocery store? Most of the time it is WAY better and oh so glorious!! I remember when I was young my dad would travel the world and bring us back something on his return. On of my favorite things he would bring back was a Toblerone chocolate bar from Switzerland. I thought these were the best chocolate bars in the world.
In my years past being 8 years old, I have come to taste some mighty fine chocolate from many different parts of the world. Now, I wouldn’t say I am a chocolate guru by any means, but I do love me so good tasting chocolate!!
Guylian Artisanal Belgian Chocolate was founded in 1958 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. “Today, Guylian crafts the finest authentic Belgian chocolate truffles, selling them to chocolate lovers in Belgium and in more than 100 countries across the world.” And fine, they are!
“Each luxurious chocolate seashell is marbled with 100% pure, silky smooth milk, dark or white Belgian chocolate.” Aren’t the shell decorations the cutest!? Each one is “filled with a rich, decadent, and luxuriously creamy chocolate truffle; the original handmade recipe” of the founders, Guy & Liliane. Their “signature truffle recipe is still made in small-batch copper kettles exclusively by Guylian’s Master Chocolatiers in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.” Now that is keeping the principals of what the company was founded on alive!
Did you know that in Belgium there are more than 2,000 chocolate shops? That is one chocolate shop every 6 square miles! Why? Because Belgium chocolate and their old world traditions make for the best chocolate around!!
Guylian sent me tons of delightful chocolates. I received their Artisanal Belgian Chocolate Truffles, Extra Dark Chocolate Truffles, and No Sugar Added Bars. OOO! They were so good! I took some to the cabin over Thanksgiving and shared….everyone loved them! I took some to work and shared….everyone loved them! I stashed some away in a safe place that only I know about…I love them too!! I have to admit, I love the chocolate truffles, but I REALLY loved the extra dark truffles. MAN! Those were so rich and creamy and yummy! I just love them. Normally I am not a huge dark chocolate fan but this time I was. DELICIOUS!!
One coworker said, “Whoa! This is good! I bet these aren’t made in America huh!? This is way better than American chocolate!”
The great thing is, even though they aren’t made in the USA, you can buy them in the USA. Believe me, you will want these around for the holidays. Whether they are for a party or as a gift, you won’t be disappointed. Find your local retailer here.
This site receives free products and other forms of compensation for posting. See the Real Moms Real Views disclosure here. 
One of the things I love about this time of year is the chance I get to thank all the important people who help me and my family, such as the girls at the daycare at the gym, my kiddo’s Doctorand nurses, my husbands boss, my Doctors, the list goes on. I am usually trying to find something that is just a great way to say Thank you that is appealing to everyone! Recently, I had the opportunity to receive a wonderful basket that in the mail that would be absolutely perfect for any one of those Thank-yous! It is from a great company called Gourmet Gift Baskets.com. They generously sent me the Christmas gift basket classic, which is loaded, and I do mean LOADED with all kinds of goodies!!!
One of our most popular Christmas designs, the Christmas Gift Basket Classic is an excellent choice for the home or office. Why? Each Christmas Basket contains a variety of award-winning gourmet snacks that appeal to a wide variety of tastes. With gourmet snacks including a chocolate covered cherries, dark chocolate bar, chocolate chip cookies, almond clustered popcorn, raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip along with pretzels and so much more! So, if you want to send a gift that everyone will love, send one of these delicious Christmas Gift Baskets!
It came packed in tightly in it’s box and was dressed up very festively with raffia! There is also a great basket that it all comes in that can be reused for something cute!
Gourmet Gift Baskets has been featured on the Today show, the Early show, NPR, Oprah, the New York Times and MSNBC, just to name a few. They have baskets for every occasion imaginable, as well as a great price range so you can find just what you are looking for. You can also shop by category, recipient, price and occasion and theme. They truly have something for everyone on your list! This basket is REAL Mom Recommended and I will definitely be checking out more of their selection for those special someones on my list. Now, the only hard decision is if I want to keep the basket for myself or give it away as a gift to someone special! Thank you Gourmet Gift Baskets!
This site receives free products and other forms of compensation for posting. See the Real Moms Real Views disclosure here.
Fun at Family MealsHaving parents and kids on active schedules can take a toll on time together. So it’s important to reconnect over a fun family meal.
Try these tips to help create memorable fun family moments at mealtime:
- Get everyone excited about dinner, have the whole family in the kitchen to help prepare dinner and talk about their day
- Let your kids pick out a favorite dish – like chicken nuggets – that they will enjoy but you will feel good about serving
Here are some fun ideas for making family meals fun:
Method’s Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse-inspired hand wash comes in unique containers shaped like Disney’s most delightful power couple, and the foaming soap will leave the whole family feeling fresh and clean.
{This site receives free products and other forms of compensation for posting. See the Real Moms Real Views disclosure here. Disney Living is the official Disney Consumer Products source for an inside scoop on the coolest and newest Disney merchandise for all ages.}
I feel lately that I have gotten into a fairly good routine with my little peanut at mealtimes… I’m just WAITING for that to change because I’ve heard as soon as things start going smoothly, aka…. good routine, something will change and everything will be up in the air again. So for now I will enjoy the fact that he is a good eater, for the most part anyway. He has his occasional bouts of not wanting to sit in his booster seat (I think we are transitioning out of the high chair). But all in all I am satisfied with how he eats. He does turn his nose up at a few things here and there, but I have my tricks. One of which includes mixing a little fruit puree in with something he’s not as keen on, like chili, which we recently had. Once I put the fruit on top, the chili went in and Mom was happy knowing her munchkin was getting the fiber and protein he needs! I recently had the opportunity to try a new brand of purees for baby. This is a great company called Baby Gourmet.
It was started by a first time mom who was unhappy with the quality and taste of baby foods available on the market. As is usually the case, necessity was the mother of invention. She has always focused on whole foods in her diet, and so that translated into what she wanted for her daughter, and so Baby Gourmet was born. She sold her delicious concoctions at farmers markets and now is happy to introduce her line of high quality, organic baby food to stores nationwide. I was generously sent some of the entire collection to try, so we set out to explore these new tastes! Now, my little guy is almost 14 months. We are WAY past the days of only feeding purees, but I still add fruit to his cereal in the morning, we do plain Greek yogurt and I mix a little fruit in with that as well, and I mentioned my trick for if he refuses new dishes. So with that in mind, I was confident I would have plenty of use for purees! (I have to say I am super excited to try these out on my next baby down the road!)
I really like this brand and the standards they use! All of their baby foods have the following strict qualifications:
They also come in a great squeeze pouch with resealable lid which keeps the food fresher in the fridge. They have a line of products for babies 6+ months who are just starting solids:
“We know how exciting and nerve-wracking it is introducing your baby to solid food. You have a million questions about allergies and your baby’s preferences. Simple Pureés are the perfect starting point. Once you introduce your little one to individual ingredients, move on to more interesting combinations. Simple Purées are bursting with taste, with a consistency that’s perfect for tiny taste buds.”
There is a line for babies 7+ months who are ready for food combinations:
“It’s time to open the door to a world of new tastes by combining ingredients. As your baby’s palate develops, make mealtime more exciting with new flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Yummy Combos include multiple ingredients, gently cooked and puréed to a perfect consistency.”
And finally, a line for babies 8+ months who are ready for textures:
“At around eight months, your baby is ready for a new taste adventure. At this age babies can chew and like to feel the difference in textures. Our Tasty Textures are based on family recipes, adapted for baby—no sugar or salt. We use only the best ingredients, packed with great taste.”
I was really impressed with the taste of all of them… yes I tried them too! Especially the “old fashioned apple crisp.” I found myself repeated squirting it onto my finger and eating it with my little guy! It was really good!! And all accomplished without added sugar!! I was super impressed!
This baby food comes REAL Mom Recommended and I will definitely be buying more of this in the future!! It is available at Walmarts nation wide. Click here to find the one closest to you that carries Baby Gourmet. For more information and cool stuff, follow them on facebook , twitter, and check out their blog. Thanks Baby Gourmet!!
This site receives free products and other forms of compensation for posting. See the Real Moms Real Views disclosure here.
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