Memorial Day Deliciousness!

Cheesecake with berries!

We are finally approaching the first of many summer celebrations and to kick it off I'm going to share a really great dessert that can easily be made by you. A basic cheesecake from scratch is not as difficult as one may think.  The food network and The cooking channel offer many selections, but the one thing that is constant is cream cheese!  So here's to welcoming your first holiday with a delicious dessert that everyone can enjoy even those who feel they need a little fruit to balance it all out.  Wishing everyone a Happy Memorial Day as I am an Army Veteran.  Have a sweet holiday!

Spring Dessert

Now that winter is coming to a close I am looking forward to shedding a few clothes like my winter coat and hat. So thinking about how to manage not only my love of sweets, and yours as well I know that this is a great option, FRUIT KEBOBS!  What is great about this is you can use any kind of fruit and if you are wanting more add a yogurt or fruit dip or even a drizzle of semi sweet chocolate. Have at it, shred not only your winter wardrobe but those extra pounds.  As you can see dessert is actually a good thing when its done using fruit as well as in moderation....so help yourself just invite a little self control.  Enjoy!

Dessert in a Glass

I know most of us are watching our diets, including myself.  However, I still like to indulge in a sweet treat.  I'm on a mission to always balance my food/dessert intake, which does not eliminate me from having dessert.  Life just would not be the same without a sweet indulgence.  This is one reason why I love and enjoy bite size treats.  After having two or three bites of the most delectable of desserts normally satisfies your craving (if you allow it to).  What I've found is that if you are out to dinner with family or friends and talking while eating you typically will not over indulge (this is my experience).  

So having said all of that I enjoy eating or drinking a healthy breakfast no matter what.  I have literally trained my taste buds to enjoy healthy drinks like smoothies.  One book I would recommend for those trying to get nutrition in especially on the go is The Big Book of Juices which I do most days but in a smoothie form.  I don't have a juicer, but I have a Ninja and mix most of the blends with vanilla almond milk.  This for me gives me energy, tastes delicious, and is my dessert in a glass while keeping me healthy and supplying me with my nutrients.  I hope you find this helpful and try something not only good for you but dessert in a glass!

Here is a sample of just what I mean:

Single Serve:                                                              

1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
¼ cup orange juice
½ cup fresh orange, peeled, segmented

Valentine's Day

Many people look forward to Valentine's Day and expressing their love and one way that is most common is through Chocolate.  One of my all time favorite chocolate desserts is Chocolate Molten Cake.  For me its all about the warm cake with the oozing of the chocolate in the center.  What I've noticed though is that for the lovers, they want the chocolate covered strawberries which are super easy to make.  So here's to love even if its just for you!  Remember we must love ourselves first before anyone else can truly love us!  

Now what I suggest is that you call around to your local farmers market and see if they have available the long stemmed strawberries, which are best for dipping in chocolate.  If not no worries, because as you know just the thought of any sweet strawberry will work just fine.  However, you must have great chocolate such as Ghiradelli, which is the most common in your local grocery store.  If you go to a specialty store such as Fresh Market or Whole Foods you will find a bigger selection.  Having a double boiler to melt down the chocolate is best and if you don't have one simply melt the chocolate in a heat proof bowl over simmering water.  Then dip your luscious strawberries in the chocolate and watch it harden into goodness.  What I really think is a great idea is for you to have a small fondue pot with the chocolate in it and then you and your guest have the strawberries and maybe some other delectable goodies to dip together and take time to share in the moment.  Spending time with people you love is the best thing when you have time to do something as simple as this together, it makes it just that much sweeter.  You can do this it's just that easy!