Jennuine

I'd be willing to bet that my generation -- those who were children during the pre-cable-TV and computer age -- are the last that could readily tell you "Who's on First", what a "Nyuk" is and which greasepaint-browed comedian said, "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."  No, I'm not seventy-five; just a child of the 70s. Comedy legends like The Three Stooges, Abbott and Costello and The Marx Bros. were regular TV fare back in the days when kids rode Big Wheels on the street till the sun when down, took pride in their tin litho lunchboxes, and had to change the channel (all five of them) on their TV by getting up off the couch and turning a dial.  A few weeks ago, my girls got a glazed-over look of despair when I made a reference to Charlie Chaplin.  "You know...Charlie Chaplin?  The Tramp? Little mustache?  Big shoes...".  I knew it was time to intervene. 

For me, very few candies can evoke such sweet childhood memories the same way Smarties do. It's the whole experience -- the satisfying crinkle of the wrapper when you twist it open; the cheery pastel colors; and the way the dimpled candies dissolve with a perfect balance of sweet and tart at first bite. Did you know that Smarties has been family owned and operated (in Union, NJ) since 1949?  Last week, I had the opportunity to create an original Valentines Day treat featuring this classic nostalgia candy: OWL VALENTINES with a free printable. And now, Rook No. 17 readers (and fellow Smarties aficionados) have an opportunity to win a Smarties Prize Pack of their own that includes: · 1 Theater box Smarties · 1 bag Original Smarties · 1 bag Tropical Smarties · 1 bag X-Treme Sour Smarties · 1 bag Smarties in a Pouch · 1 bag Smarties Love Hearts GIVEAWAY One lucky Rook No. 17 reader will be chosen in a random drawing, using random.org, on Tuesday

The very best baked goods start with using quality ingredients.  It's always a joy to discover a new source for ingredients that are a cut above the rest.  So it was a distinct pleasure to have found my new favorite whole wheat flour, compliments* of Hodgson Mill as part of their Have a Grain Holiday Recipe Contest .   Hodgson Mill is a family-owned business that's been grinding grain in in Illinois since 1882! Their business may be 125 years old and their promise of wholesome, naturally healthy food (with no artificial preservatives, additives or colorings) timeless, but their commitment to the environment through sustainable practices is as modern as can be!  I hope you'll give Hodgson Mill flours, pastas, cereals, mixes and other fine products a try .  Use the Hodgson Mill 100% stone ground wheat flour with my Cranberry Upside-down Cakes and you'll be an instant convert! The tart cranberries glazed in brown sugar glisten like jeweled

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own. For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective , which endorses Blog With Integrity , as I do. Raspberry Lemon Breakfast Cake made with Dannon® Oikos® vanilla yogurt Greek Yogurt -- WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?  I grew up loving yogurt -- plain, fruit on the bottom, fruit mixed in, in smoothies, frozen, and as a breakfast parfait with fresh fruit and granola.When I started watching my weight in my early twenties I was disappointed to find that the lower-fat yogurts often lacked the creamy texture and richness that I had enjoyed as a child. I had all but given up on yogurt until just around a year ago when I was introduced to Greek Yogurt. Creamy? Yes! R

A few weeks ago I was approached by the folks at POM Wonderful ~ the makers of that delicious (and antioxidant rich) 100% pomegranate juice ~ and was asked if I would like try to create some culinary magic using a complimentary case of their product.  I jumped at the opportunity to work with something new!  I've enjoyed POM Wonderful before ~ straight out of the bottle and mixed in cocktails ~ but being given creative license to create my own POM recipes sounded like the perfect holiday kitchen challenge!  So, with holiday parties and open-houses in mind, I created a cozy cocktail to ward of the winter chill, and evoke the essence of what we cherish most about the holidays.  Here the gold of the apple cider and the crimson of the pomegranate juice mingle to create a jewel-toned toddy that nearly glows with holiday warmth and sentiment.  It takes only minutes to prepare a large batch, perfect for parties and large gatherings. Sandro Botticelli - Virgin of the Po