Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Recipe

Sunday's are a day of rest; to reflect on your life's journey, count your blessings, and do something that makes you feel happy. While I would have enjoyed a few extra hours of sleep, I had to run a few errands. While waiting in line to purchase some Christmas gifts, I had an idea to try something new today, so I searched up a new cookie recipe, and the rest is history.

Have you ever heard of Hot Chocolate Marshmallow cookies? You heard right, "hot" chocolate.

The name stunned me for a moment as well, until I realized the recipe called for chili powder.  And it all made sense, however at first I was a bit weary, but as it turns out, you can't even taste the chili!

And trust me when I say a few were sampled rather quickly in my home.

If you're up for a challenge, or just want to try something new, follow the directions below and enjoy a batch of your own!

Ingredients:

• 1 roll pillsbury™ refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 
• 1 cup Nutella® hazelnut spread 
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa 
• 3/4 chili powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon  ground cinnamon 
• Large marshmallows, cut in half 

Directions:

STEP 1 Heat oven to 350 degrees. STEP 2 In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add hazelnut spread, cocoa, chili powder and cinnamon. Mix with electric mixer on low speed about 5 minutes or until well blended.STEP 3 Shape dough into two-inch balls. Flatten each ball into three-inch round. Add 1 marshmallow half into the dough and cover it completely. Repeat with remaining dough rounds and marshmallows. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.STEP 4 Bake 12-15 minutes or until surface of cookie appears cracked and marshmallow shows through. Cool 5-10 minutes, remove from cookie sheets. Serve warm or store tightly covered. 

Enjoy!

I asked his story, he offered me hope.

Photo cred: Pinterest 

Met a homeless man today while waiting in the drive thru line at Starbucks in Chino, Calif. I watched him for a few minutes before I had to roll my car up closer to the speaker. He sat at the table guarding his belongings. A cup of ice water sat at the table by his left side. I watched him fiddle with his objects just before placing his left hand on his head, while simultaneously bowing it down and releasing a noticeable sigh. 

As I got closer he smiled at me. I smiled back and stared down at his dog. He followed my glance. 

The dog was stunning, and if you know me you know how much I love dogs. I rolled down my window and asked the dog's name, breed and age. The man got up and broke the air with his Australian accent. "His name is Bowen, he's a pit bull mix; he's six-years-old."

I asked the man if he needed some money? He said "yes," and I handed over the $10 from my wallet. Not much but I figured it would help him grab something to eat. The man came close to my window, hunched over and openly shared that he's known as the "lone wolf," and that he had rescued Bowen from a shelter but as it turns out, he's been rescuing him, he said.

The man can't swallow much food or keep food down, as he found out he has early stages of throat and stomach cancer.  He has already lost 40 pounds, he said. I sighed with him. He's hoping a friend of his will come through so he can get help from a doctor, file paper work and get social security, he elaborated. I hurt for him but offered praise for his courage. He has so much hope. The kind of hope that makes you stand back in awe over. Before I left him I asked his name... "Eddie." 

I will be praying for Eddie, for Bowen and many others who I have been so blessed to meet. As we are all feeling some portions of defeat in our lives, please understand your situation as a whole, and know that you matter. We all do, and never give up your hope to any coward, fear or lack of love you encounter, because the good far outweighs the bad, and hope, faith and love are all you need.

A Grateful Heart

If I was born anywhere else in the world, would I be just as grateful for my life as I am today? As my thoughts prepped for Thanksgiving, the rush of Black Friday, and the events that will follow, I kept thinking of that question. 

In the recent weeks passed, terrorist killed several innocent lives in Paris, but the impact of these actions and losses affected many throughout the world. Peace and Prayer petitions quickly went viral on social media. Many spoke about their recent visit to France and Paris and those who lost someone. In a common thread of prevailing hope and strength, media post spoke about the bond of good, and how it will always be greater than evil. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate) 

In nearly half of deaths (45%) in children under five, poor nutrition is to blame. That's an estimating 3.1 million children each year, according to the World Food Programee (WFP). If you are throwing a lot of food away, think of adding less to your plate before you waste it. Think of how those leftovers you toss out nonchalantly could be a day's worth of food to one child. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate)

Many of us are doing ok, we're getting by. Could things be better? Sure, they can always be better, but if we were without shoes as cherishedfeet.org states '1.2 billion people in the world live in extreme poverty (less than one dollar a day)' are, would we think differently about our situation? Many parasites enter the soles of the feet, and without shoes to cover the steps you take, you are susceptible to many illness or disease. Be grateful for those worn out sandals or broken down running shoes. Perhaps donate them to a local shoe and clothes drive before taking them to the dumpster. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate) 

As Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year celebrations approach, we will get swept up in the holiday cyclone, elbowing strangers in tight shopping quarters, singing jingle bells and wishing for health, wealth and good cheer and this post you have read will be a thing of the past. Don't let it be. Every day people need people, and hope needs hope. Be of good faith and be bold in your motivations. 

Give food to a stranger, hold the door for someone you don't know and take it easy. Everyone is looking for happiness, some times it starts in a small gesture of giving thanks. 

E's Birthday Weekend

This weekend was all about delicious eats and celebrating this cutie's life. I can't express enough how important birthdays are to me. Whether or not it's being able to celebrate someone on the actual anniversary of their birth, sending a birthday wish via text, email, social media, or by mailing a belated birthday card, birthdays are wonderful! 

So let me start by saying, cheers! And to everyone that has celebrated, or is about to celebrate their birthday, do it with class and happiness, and may you be surrounded by those who love you.

And to my sweetheart, E, you are so special to me. Your kindness runs deep, the man that you are overwhelms me with each passing day, and your respect and zest for life inspire me to keep my own spirit growing with vigor. Happy Birthday, my love! You are blessed beyond measure and I'm grateful for your life. 

The first evening, on E's actual birthday, we celebrated by visiting Orange Hill Restaurant. A fine dining experience nestled into the hills of Orange County, California. The view was spectacular, although the weather was toasty. May I interest you in visiting 100 degrees Sunny Cali? Phew!  We opted for indoor seating. 

Pale peach and amber colors glowed around a bright orange ball of flame as we watched the sun set. Beautiful!  I was so moved by the scenery, I forgot to snap a photo, sorry. 

From what I was told by our server, the evenings are even more romantic as lit fireplaces adorn the outside patio and homes and businesses light up the dark hills. Insert beating heart emoji.

We started off by chomping on some sour dough buns with creamy butter sprinkled with Hawaiian sea salt. 

Calamari came next. YUM!

E had the steak. 

I had the most delicious chicken, creamy mashed potatoes and garlic dressing drizzled over asparagus and carrots. HOLY MOLY! E was so jealous that he ate my other piece of chicken and most of my mashed potatoes.

And then came, dessert.

The next day, we traveled back to Orange County, for brunch. I scurried around on the Internet to find a popular local spot that served mimosas, and this was the winner - The Filling Station. 

E grabbed an omelet with onions, bell peppers, bacon and who knows what else.  I, on the other hand, ordered an omelet with bacon, pepper jack cheese and spicy sausage. I needed protein, because we were both about to dive into a plate of cinnamon french toast, and by no means was I going to be satisfied with just that. 

Ok - I was wrong. I was so full, I couldn't finish my omelet. This place definitely lives up to its name. The meal was so delicious and, well, filling.  

The little cafe rocked nothing but oldies music and our server was so sweet and attentive. The weekend was a pure hit, and ended with E watching the Cowboys play the Patriots. 

Although the Cowboys lost, E was still very happy with his birthday weekend, and that made me very happy. 

Happy National Dog Day

Because I forgot to post on the actual day of National Dog Day, I'm squeezing this little tribute in. Please enjoy these little snapshots of my little fur joys!  

 Bella and Lulu. 

They chase each other...

They enjoy park days...

They sleep in on Saturdays...

They're effortlessly dog models...

They LOVE LA!

They console each other...

They give a mean stare down...

They love tennis balls...

They analyze things deeply...

They're amazing, and my life wouldn't be the same without having them in it to teach me what true, unconditional love, really is. 

From our wet noses to yours, Happy National Dog Day! 

The Joyce Meyer Experience

Mama and I had a blast at last weekend's Joyce Meyer seminar. Faith is found everywhere and what an experience Mama and I had that day. The event was held at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. A location that Joyce Meyer speaks at every couple of years or so. Admission was free, so all we had to do was show up. 

Mama and I got there at 8:15am. Doors opened at 8am. The event wasn't until 10am. Sounds a little overzealous, but if any of you have ever been to the Long Beach Arena, you know that getting there early is important. The stadium was already half-way full by the time we got there, so scrambling for seats was both exciting and quite hilarious. The moment someone got up, someone else slipped into their spot. A quick, assertive decision was mandatory. At last, Mama and I found two floor seats. Whoo hoo!

The introduction bursted with music and praise. "Hallelujah, rejoice in the Lord, I say again, rejoice." 

There was not one person in that auditorium that wasn't either faith-filled, seeking more faith, or going to leave that day feeling without faith. 

You see, Joyce Meyer isn't one of those screaming pastors that make you feel like you're going to go to hell if you don't faint with the 'Word' rolling off your tongue. Instead, she offers testimonies of real life experiences; how pain and reality can make you feel defeated, how there's evil on earth, and how hatred drains us of having a faith filled life. She even explained how the disciples suffered and did plenty of wrong doing before allowing Jesus to show them the true way of living.

 It's not about preaching at someone, but rather lifting them up by being a faith-filled person. And a faith-filled person is made of love. And who doesn't want to feel love, give love or be loved? 

Many people need 'saving,'

 this is true, but let God do that. All we need to do is keep spreading the love. 

Bravery, Freedom & Family

"Happy Fourth of July!" My family kept cheering this phrase over and over. This day has always meant something so grand growing up; not only as an American, but as a young girl, and granddaughter to a World War Two United States Airforce Veteran. 

Due to my grandfather's bravery and the GOOD heroic acts done by him, his fellow crew and all the men and women who currently serve--including my sister's boyfriend of the U.S. Coast Guard--I can walk free as a young lady and look however I want, dress however I want, believe in whatever I want, and now, marry whoever I want. 

I'm grateful for a nation that allows families to join together in peace, fellow neighbors willing to help in despair, and the ability to stand on my own front lawn and eat watermelon while simultaneously cheer over a display of fireworks. 

You can't get any better than that! 

But aside from the hamburgers, hotdogs and tasty desserts, it is family that makes any holiday a joyous one. And as I look into my nephew's eyes, I am reminded of peace, love and the future, and how important it is as adults to stay mindful of our actions and pave a positive way for our little ones. 

As my grandfather's generation took care of us, so must our generation take care of the next. 

Remember, freedom is not free, and although we may not have world peace just yet, many GOOD men and women suffered or lost their lives so that YOU can continue to stand. Let's keep moving forward America, and show those who fought and continue to fight for us, that it will never be in vain. 

"THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE."

...I don't know about you, but that is one phrase I will never get tired of saying. 

(Photo credit: EI Medical)

Weekend Shenanigans

Due to working late on Friday, I decided to just stay home and relax. Saturday, was even worse. My only excitement was a trip to Target, which is technically a party in itself. So I really shouldn't be so hard on myself. 

Sunday however, well...Sunday was where joy began. 

Yoga // Church 

Brunch with E // Shopping at TJ Maxx

Grocery Shopping // Meal prepping

The Kardashians // realizing it's 9pm and I'm tired. #oldladystatus. 

::Can't wait to do it all again next week::