This Day in History July 25, ????

Did you know that today is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day?  I have to admit, I did not.  As usual with "food holidays' such as these, the history of the day is rather sketchy.  What we do know is that most of the ice cream holidays tend to happen in the month of July.  Ice cream has been around and popular in this country since its inception.  Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson indulged in the decadent treat.  And the first ice cream shoppe in this country opened in New York in 1776.  

There are many different ways to make a hot fudge sundae.  I have always been partial to vanilla ice cream, hot fudge topping, peanuts, and whipped cream.  I would leave the maraschino cherry off--I don't like these on sundaes, as a rule.  But, of course, there is no right or wrong way to have a hot fudge sundae.  The most important thing is to enjoy your sundae!  And don't feel guilty.  After all, a hot fudge sundae contains 21% of your recommended daily allowance of calcium!

For more information, please check out:

http://www.nowpublic.com/strange/happy-national-hot-fudge-sundae-day

http://www.slashfood.com/2007/07/25/happy-national-hot-fudge-sundae-day/

http://www.mahalo.com/national-hot-fudge-sundae-day/

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/07/25/national-hot-fudge-sundae-day/

http://www.oldtimechocolates.com/chocolate-holidays/national-hot-fudge-sundae-day/

http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/2012/7/25/national-hot-fudge-sundae-day

Picture source:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/scaredykat/1227111322/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Gourmet Berries from Shari's Berries (Ends 6/25) U.S.

Ready for some fun? It’s time for our 5th FLASH GIVEAWAY for the Month of June!!!We are giving away the sweetest summer treat... chocolate covered strawberries {over a $30 value}!!! I've joined some super awesome bloggers and hosts My Crafty Life and Full Price? Never! to bring this cool flash giveaway to you!

Velata Warmer with 4 Matching Fondue Forks and 2 Bags of Chocolate (Ends 6/14) U.S.

Ready for some fun? It’s time for another FLASH GIVEAWAY for the Month of June!!!I've joined some super awesome bloggers and hosts My Crafty Life and Full Price? Never! to bring you this cool flash giveawayfor a Velata Warmer prize pack!

Ready for the giveaway? How about a Velata warmer which comes with 4 matching fondue forks,and 2 bags of chocolate... a $70 value {including shipping}!

Pretty on Pinterest--Chocolate

Welcome to Pretty on Pinterest! This meme is hosted by Simply Stacie and Sassy Mama in LA every Thursday where you can link up your posts on the theme of the week. Each week we will have a different theme for you to find pins you love on Pinterest and create a post to link up here.

This week’s theme is Chocolate.

How It Works

1. Follow Simply Stacie and Sassy Mama in LA on Pinterest.
2. Create a themed post using your favourite pins. Be as creative as you like just as long as it fits the theme in some way. (You need to use Pinterest to create your post!)
3. Link up your post on the linky below.
4. Visit other people’s posts and discover some new pretty pins for your collection!

Next week’s theme is Hot so start thinking about your post to link up next Thursday.

Link up your Chocolate posts! We reserve the right to delete any posts that do not fit this week’s theme and posts that include affiliate links.

So here is my post for this week celebrating some fantastic chocolate creations.

One day I would love to make this:

Source: chocoley.com via Ruth on Pinterest

These look really neat--they seem easy enough. Great ideas for gifts!

Source: allfreecrafts.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Not the exact recipe I have had before, but it is an awesome recipe!

Source: cacaoweb.net via Ruth on Pinterest

Feel like eating something a little healthier.

Source: pastrywiz.com via Ruth on Pinterest

A couple mousse recipes:

Source: creativewhip.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: glorioustreats.blogspot.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Feeling like something savory?

Source: cacaoweb.net via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: cacaoweb.net via Ruth on Pinterest

Healthy Chocolate! Drink Mayesa! Review and Giveaway (Ends 12/9) U.S. (closed)

 I was so privileged to have the opportunity to review a fantastic chocolate drink.  If anyone knows me, they know I absolutely must have my chocolate!  I watch very carefully what I eat and drink, but I have chocolate at least once a day.  And I don't generally even worry if that chocolate is healthy.  What a relief to find a drink that meets the qualification to be called healthy chocolate.

I was sent two flavors--the original cacao original and cacao mint.  The company could not have sent me anything better.  I love chocolate, and I love chocolate mint.  And neither disappoints.  The flavor is fantastic--it doesn't taste like some kind of health drink that you can barely "chug" down.  The flavor is smooth and rich.  I actually had no idea they were dairy and soy free.  The drink is so creamy and smooth.  The mint flavor is also gluten-free.  The drinks are loaded with Omega 3 and 6, and they are quite energizing.  My only complaint is that the calorie count is a little high.  But when you realize that it can take the place of a snack, 130 calories isn't too bad.  My daughter did not try these, but I think she would like them as well.

So the next time that you want chocolate, skip the candy bars and the "healthy" snack bars that are loaded with stuff you don't want.  Instead, pick up Mayesa and have a healthy chocolate drink.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Now, to the exciting news.  The company has agreed to give away a 6-pack of these drinks to one of my U.S. readers.  Be sure to fill out the rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway will end December 9 at 9 P.M. Pacific Time.

So be sure to enter!  If you love chocolate, this drink is for you!