product review, recipe

Dark Chocolate: The New Dessert “Crostini w/Black Pepper Whipped Goat Cheese, Fresh Strawberries, Balsamic Reduction”

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Groovin Moms was invited to the  “Dark Chocolate: The New Dessert” tasting. The tasty adventure started the moment we walked in. We met Athan Spanos – Chef de Cuisine at The Hotel Hershey and he prepared the most delicious dishes for us.

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Here is Merci enjoying one of three crostini served.   This  dish was paired with wine (Ferrari-Carano siena Sonoma Country red wine)  and chocolate (Scharffen Berger Semisweet Dark chocolate). Perfection!  All the chocolates are  perfectly portioned to enjoy every day.

 

Here is the recipe:

1 TB fresh black pepper
4TB goat cheese, room temp
4TB light cream
Salt/Pepper to taste
Sliced Fresh strawberries
2C Balsamic vinegar
8 slices Of French baguette

Combine the goat cheese, black pepper, light cream , s/p
Wash and slice strawberries.
In a sauce pan, add vinegar, reduce down slowly, on a low flame (to 1/2 cup).
Drizzle the slices of baguette with extra virgin olive oil and season with s/p
Toast at 350 until golden brown – cool
Spread 1/8 of goat cheese mixture on each crostini, top with 2-3 slices strawberry and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

For more recipes go to:

http://www.themoderationnation.com/

For more info on the sweetest place on Earth:

http://www.hersheypa.com/

product review, recipe

Hershey’s New Chocolate Spreads – Share Some Goodness

I admit it, I love chocolate ever since I can remember.  Chocolate and fruit is simply a match made in heaven and to put it all together on a slice of bread and call it lunch. You can call me “Happy”. So excited about the new Hershey’s Chocolate Spreads, plain, with almonds or hazelnut. I used the good old plain chocolate to make these sandwiches.

Hershey’s Chocolate Spread Sandwiches

Your favorite bread   – I used Pepperidge Farm  Swirl Bread
Your favorite fruit – I love strawberries and bananas
Your favorite Hershey’s Chocolate Spread  🙂

Got Milk?

 

What a easy way to spread some goodness around!

http://www.hersheys.com/

Dining, Family

Birthday Celebration At The Beach House, Long Beach NY

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Where did this year go?  To stay in touch with the people you love takes a lot of thought. We make it a point to celebrate each of our birthdays with a dinner or a brunch.  Last week was Mercis’ sister, Marlenes’ birthday, and the birthday girl always gets to pick the restaurant. Friday night we went to The Beach House in Long Beach NY. Excellent choice!!

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We shared a bottle of wine and a platter of wings and some brie for starters. We were so hungry, I never got a chance to take a photo 🙂

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My sister Marianne and I got the tuna and shrimp with rice, asparagus with sweet chili sauce. This plate had a good kick!

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Merci and Marlene both got the skirt steak.  The fact that we each got the same dish was so weird. We usually each get something completely different. Birds of a feather flock together I guess. Ha!!  Anyway, the skirt steak came with wasabi mashed potatoes and sweet carrots.  Too much food, so we ended up each taking half home.

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The sweet people at The Beach House must have heard us toasting Marlene for her birthday.  The molten s’mores plate came with a candle and they stayed at the table and sang “Happy Birthday” with us.  Thank you, guys!

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I hope  to celebrate more birthday with my family and friends. I don’t know who said this, but I love it and think it holds true.

“To age is a privilege. Do not regret getting older.  It is a privilege denied to many”   Love, Liz and Merci

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http://www.thebeachhouselbny.com/The_Beach_House/Welcome_Both_Sites.html

Time of the Season

Flu Shot or Not To Flu Shot

Fall is a great time of year.  A time to watch the trees change and shed their leaves.  A time to buy mums, a time to sit with a nice cup of hot chocolate, a time to celebrate Halloween and a time to fall behind.

A time for so many things.   But is it really, a time for your flu shot?     Have  you noticed that everywhere you look you see signs telling you that this is the time to get a flu shot.

When I  went for my annual physical my doctor, who I love, asked me to take the flu shot and when I turned the shot down, Dr. Youn looked surprised.  She said, “WHY?” Answer ,”‘I don’t do flu shots.”

Yes, I know that the CDC recommends the flu shot for Americans older than six months and  for people who are at high risk of flu complications.  People at high risk include those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, HIV and kidney or liver disorders. People who are age 65 and older, pregnant women, and health care professionals are also at risk for flu complications.  I can understand why peopel who are at high risk may need to get a flu shot, but since I don’t fall into these categories I would think that it would be unnecessary to waste a shot on me.

The flu shot is also a hot topic at the office.  Gone are the days when you gather around the office water cooler and asked, “How did your weekend go?” Now I hear them ask, “Did you get your flu shot?” 

Don’t understand it. The jury is still out on whether the flu shot really is necessary for ALL to have.   Interesting!

“There is some controversy surrounding whether or not the flu vaccine is a good idea,” said James Wilde, MD, pediatric emergency medicine physician at Georgia Regents Health System in Augusta who has spent much of his career dealing with flu and prevention. “Personally, I am not a big fan of the flu vaccine,” he said. “I don’t think the flu vaccine is a bad thing, but I do believe it’s only necessary for high risk populations. I don’t agree with the national authorities that say everyone should get a flu vaccine.”

RIGHT ON DOC”

Why would this doctor think the flu shot is not a good idea?  What I’m afraid could happen is  the national authorities, whoever they may be,  will eventually make this another mandated health item to all children and adults.

Got your flu shot?  Fine! 

Not ME!

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