Snow days and a Marshmallow Mustache!

While sitting and watching the snow silently fall early yesterday morning, I could not help but think back to a time when I was little girl.  At first flake, we hoped and prayed that the snow would pile up so high, that of course, school would be cancelled the next morning.  Snow days were special, like a vacation in winter.

 We’d head outside to shovel the driveway first.  Afterwards, it was play time.  Angels in the snow, building forts and snowmen followed by snowball fights with the neighbors.

By the time our hands and feet were frozen, we knew it was time to come inside to warm up.  Waiting for us was always a steaming mug of delicious hot chocolate, with puffy white marshmallows bobbing up and down.  What a perfect treat to warm us inside out out.

I still prefer to make my own hot chocolate stirring 2 tablespoons of Hershey’s Syrup into an 8 oz. mugful of simmering milk.  While whole milk makes for a rich and thick brew, 1% or preferably 2% works well too.  I don’t recommend skim milk because it’ makes the hot chocolate too watery.  Make sure that you stir the milk long enough for the chocolate to be incorporated.  Add three to four marshmallows to top it off and savor slowly.

If you prefer European hot chocolate, which is generally much thicker in consistency and made with pure cocao, not powder, try Mariebelle on Broome Street in New York City.  Mariebelle offers four flavors of luscious ”Aztec” hot chocolate; original, spicy, mocha and dark.   You can visit the store which has a cafe where you can sit and sip.  Or you can order on line at www.mariebelle.com.

I don’t know if we will actually get enough snow to keep us inside these last few weeks of winter, but good hot chocolate any time is worth the marshmallow mustache.   

It’s Snack Time!

It’s 4pm.  You’re sitting at your desk trying to work, but you’re distracted.  You want a diversion.  You need a diversion.  So, you head to the kitchen looking for a pick-me-up and think “I want a little something, but I don’t know what”.  Millions of people go through this ritual every day.  We are a snack-obsessed nation.  From kids to adults, the phrase, ”snack time” conjures up images of crunchy, chewy, salty, gooey, chocolatey treats that satisfy our cravings, our sweetooths and our desire for something good to eat. 

I am a self-confessed “snacker”, a “snack-a-holic”.  There, I said it.  I am always looking for a snack and looking out for something new.  So, what is a snack?  Wikipedia refers to a snack as “something to temporarily tide a person’s hunger, provide a brief supply of energy for the body, or something to be eaten for enjoyment of the taste.”  While I can be hungry at times, and definitely need energy after a run or long day, I mostly eat snacks for the enjoyment of taste.

I prefer to snack rather than eat full meals.  I love restaurants that serve little plates because it’s like a ”snack smorgasbord”.  My favorite snacks are pretzels.  I love the crunch, the salt and the taste.  Being from Philadelphia, I love the large, soft pretzels, especially with mustard.  (Much more on that another day)

So, I thought this blog would be a good way to spend my ”snack time” by sharing snack ideas, seeking out new ones, finding what’s really in the snacks we eat, snack gift ideas and just enjoying snacks together. 

Till another “snack time”……..

Pretzelgirl