Help Provide One Million Meals to Families with #CroodsCare and Feeding America
It\’s been a tough year, let\’s make it a little easier for families by helping The Croods provide one million meals to families in need this holiday season through Feeding America.
Watch Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Nicolas Cage, and the rest of the cast from THE CROODS: A NEW AGE announce the partnership with Feeding America along with some Thanksgiving Etiquette tips!
Let\’s get families some food! Every time you use #CroodsCare on Twitter, Universal will make a donation, and will also match funds donated directly to the Feeding America website via the Croods Care Landing Page – www.feedingamerica.org/croodscare
Fans can also contribute via a “Virtual Fruit Drive” on Animal Crossing: New Horizons by visiting “Croods Cove” using dream code: DA-1282-8266-2121. Each piece of virtual fruit that users donate on the island will translate into real meals for families in need.
#CroodsCare
Friday Favorites 11.20.20
It\’s Friday and that means it is time for Friday Favorites. We all know this year looks very different from last year. Michigan has taken a \”pause\” to help protect people as our COVID numbers have begun to skyrocket. With that being said, this is the first time that people I actually know have gotten the virus. Restaurants need to get creative with their carryout, movie theaters are offering their popcorn via Door Dash, and small businesses are pleading with everyone to shop and eat with them so they will be around for years to come.
With Thanksgiving, just around the corner, I have decided to do Friday Favorites a little differently. From appetizers and desserts to tablescapes and more I have rounded up some of my favorite ways you can elevate your Thanksgiving – even if you\’re spending it solo.
I was super excited to learn that Grey Ghost Detroit is offering Thanksgiving dinner for ONE.
These apple cider donuts are quick and delicious to make and only require Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers.
My girl J.R. McCabe shared a Hazelnut Brussels Sprout recipe that I cannot wait to try. I just need to find some hazelnuts – apparently, they\’re hard to come by in Michigan.
Looking for a healthy pie to make this Thanksgiving. I absolutely love this blueberry chai pie.
Take notes, these 7 Thanksgiving foods can actually kill your dog.
These cinnamon slow cooker carrots sound amazing.
Cheesy scalloped potatoes are on my list this year.
Loaded cauliflower casserole would be a fun change-up.
If you\’re solo like me apple pie egg rolls might be a good option for a dessert.
Even if your Thanksgiving does not look like you want it to, that doesn\’t mean you can\’t make it look cute and cozy. A good place setting always sets the mood.
Oakland County Parks are offering free admission on Thanksgiving.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs are all the rage this holiday season, and the best part is you can make them at home. Hot chocolate bombs or hot cocoa bombs are cutesy little balls of chocolate that you put into a mug, and when you pour hot milk into the mug over the hot chocolate bomb it will start to melt and begin to magically release the marshmallows and hot chocolate that is hiding inside.
If you want to make these adorable hot cocoa bombs at home, you\’ve come to the right place. I am sharing a full guide on how to make hot chocolate bombs, that are packed with tips and tricks to creating these adorable and delicious cocoa treats.
What are hot chocolate bombs?
Hot cocoa bombs are chocolate spheres filled with hot chocolate mix and plenty of marshmallows. Pour steaming hot milk over the top of your hot cocoa bombs and watch the chocolate melt away and release the hot cocoa and marshmallows into your milk.
What kind of chocolate to use?
You want to use good quality chocolate. I like to buy some from a local candy store, however, you can buy bar chocolate like Lindt, use Wilton chocolate wafers, and more. You just want to make sure that you use good quality chocolate. I recommend chocolate with 65% or more cocoa.
How to melt chocolate?
To melt your chocolate you can either use a double boiler or melt it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish and melt on defrost in 15-second intervals, stirring in between.
What kind of mold do you need to make hot cocoa bombs?
You can use a sphere chocolate mold or a silicone sphere mold.
How do you apply the chocolate to the mold?
If you\’re using a silicone mold you will want to use a paintbrush. If you\’re using a hard plastic mold you will just pour in some chocolate and circle it around the sphere.
How do you put the spheres together?
This part is key to getting your hot chocolate bombs to stay together.
1. Place a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Once the cookie sheet is hot, take it out of the oven and set the half you will be filling onto the hot cookie sheet.
3. Swirl it around until all the sides are even.
4. Remove it.
5. Then you will fill that half with your cocoa goodies.
6. Once you have it filled, repeat the same process with the other half of the cocoa bomb, but instead of filling it, you will place it on top of the filled one.
Pro Tip: I tried this the first time with a plate, and it became a lot to continuously reheat it. So I switched to the cookie sheet that I can easily take in and out of the oven.
What kind of hot chocolate mix should you use in hot chocolate bombs?
Use whatever hot chocolate mix you prefer. I personally like Trader Joe\’s and Aldi\’s hot chocolate.
What kind of marshmallows should you use to make hot cocoa bombs?
Any mini marshmallows of your choice!
Can you decorate the outside of a hot cocoa bomb?
Yes, you can decorate the outside of the hot cocoa bomb. Just remember that this will become apart of your hot chocolate.
How to make Hot Cocoa Bombs:
Now that you\’ve read all my tips and tricks on how to make the perfect hot cocoa bombs at home. I am going to go through step-by-step how to make them. This process is the easiest one I have found that creates the most flawless
1. Melt your chocolate
I prefer buying melting chocolate that comes with a tray. Not only does it make cleanup easy, but the chocolate melts perfectly.
Pro Tip: If melting your chocolate in the microwave you want to always make sure you\’re melting it on defrost in short intervals.
DO NOT USE CHOCOLATE CHIPS. They will not work!
2. Add chocolate to mold
Paint or pour your melted chocolate into the mold. You don\’t want it two thin or two thick – so look at the bottom and if you can see through to the top you\’re going to want to add more chocolate.
3. Place in the freezer to allow the chocolate to set
Once you have the mold-covered in chocolate place it in the freezer to allow the chocolate to set. This will typically take a couple minutes.
Pro Tip: Don\’t leave the long in the freezer too long or your chocolate will get white spots.
4. Remove from the mold
Once the chocolate has set you will want to remove it from the mold. I like to line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and tap the mold to get the chocolate to release.
5. Warm up a cookie sheet
Place a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.
6. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP
Once the cookie sheet is warm, remove it from the oven. Place half of the hot cocoa bomb you will be adding the hot cocoa and goodies to onto the hot cookie sheet. Swirl it around to create a completely smooth surface.
Pro Tip: During this step, you will be able to remove any flaws that may affect the two halves from seamlessly going together.
7. Fill \’er up!
The half you just made even, you will now fill with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, candy cane pieces, sprinkles etc.
Pro Tip: For the best-fit start with sprinkles, candy cane pieces.. etc, then marshmallows and top with the powdered hot cocoa.
8. Sealing the two halves together – IMPORTANT
Repeat step 6 with the half that does not have the cocoa and marshmallows in it. Immediately place it on top of the half that is filled. The two halves should seamlessly go together.
Pro Tip: If the halves do not seal properly together, you can add some melted chocolate to a plastic baggy, snip a small piece of the corner of the baggy, and pip some chocolate in the areas that need to be sealed shut and smooth it out with a spoon.
9. Decorate
Decorate your hot cocoa bombs however you\’d like. If you\’d like to add chocolate swirls on top you can simply put some chocolate in a baggy, snip a small piece of the corner of the baggy off and pipe your desired lines or design.
Pro Tip: The possibilities are endless. Just keep in mind everything on the outside and the inside of the hot cocoa bomb ultimately makes up your hot cocoa.
10. Gifting
If you\’re giving the hot cocoa bombs as a gift, I recommend placing them in a cupcake liner and then putting them into a clear bag and attaching a decorative tag with instructions.
11. HAVE FUN!
Good luck and have fun making these adorably delicious hot cocoa bombs. If you have any questions feel free to reach out and ask me!
Hot chocolate bomb flavors
If traditional hot chocolate with marshmallows is not your thing, and you\’re more interested in something gourmet, here are some great ideas.
Peppermint
Peppermint is my personal favorite way to enjoy hot chocolate. I love adding a candy cane to my hot cocoa, and thought I would take my hot cocoa bombs to the next level by adding crushed up candy canes to the inside of the bomb with the marshmallows and cocoa.
Coffee
My mum is a huge fan of hot chocolate and coffee mixed together. So in her hot chocolate bomb, I added a teaspoon of instant coffee (or expresso).
Add a little spice
If Mexican hot chocolate is more of your speed add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the inside of the hot chocolate bomb.
Sea salt
I don\’t know about you, but I am a huge fan of chocolate and sea salt. You can add some flaky sea salt to the inside or outside of your hot chocolate bomb.
Hot Chocolate Bombs Tips & Tricks
1. Do not overheat the chocolate. Take your time and microwave in 15-second intervals.
2. Make sure you have enough chocolate on the edges of your mold. This helps prevent the chocolate from breaking when you remove it from the mold.
3. Use food-safe gloves while you\’re assembling, this will prevent you from leaving fingerprints on your hot chocolate bombs.
4. Be gentle when sealing the bombs together.
5. Store your hot chocolate bombs in an airtight container in a cool spot like your refrigerator.
10 Reasons to Choose Northern Nail Polish
If you\’re anything like me, you love nail polish. I love discovering new (to me) nail polish brands, heading out on a search for a color I suddenly can\’t live without and need the perfect shade of – this fall it was a mustard color. When it comes to nail polish, I am typically the person that changes my polish before it chips, just because I want something different three days after I put it on.
Earlier this fall I discovered a new (to me) nail polish brand, and fell absolutely in love with it and think you will too. Let me introduce you to Northern Nail Polish, and why this Michigan nail polish brand is going to quickly become your new go-to.
10 Reasons to Choose Northern Nail Polish
1. Northern Nail Polish is handmade in Traverse City, Michigan.
2. Northern Nail Polish pulls inspiration from the everyday beauty of Michigan\’s towns, nature, festivals, and people. The names of the polish relate to places around Michigan as do the colors.
3. Northern Nail Polish adds new colors and glitters to their line seasonally, which means there is always something new for you to discover.
4. Not only is Northern Nail Polish vegan and toxin-free, but it\’s also eco-friendly and chip resistant.
5. Northern Nail Polish is free of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), camphor, formaldehyde or derived resins, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), ethyl tosylamide, xylene, toluene, parabens, and phthalate.
6. This nail polish is non-GMO and does not feature gluten.
7. One of my favorite things about Northern Nail Polish is that it is fragrance-free.
8. Northern Nail Polish is cruelty-free.
9. The nail polish is pigmented with natural minerals so they won\’t leave stains on your nails after removal.
10. You\’re going to want to buy Northern Nail Polish first because of the cute name and darling colors, but you\’ll come back because of the long-lasting polish that does not have any harmful chemicals.
Friday Favorites 11.13.20
It\’s an exciting day today, as I am celebrating Jack\’s Gotcha Day. That\’s right, eight years ago I walked into a mall with my mum to get lunch at Olga\’s and walked out with Jack. Here is when I introduced Jack to all of you!
I just started watching Dash and Lily on Netflix and cannot wait to binge the rest of it this weekend.
In case you\’re looking to head to the theater this month, here is what you will find.
Still in need of gifts this holiday season? Check out my gift guide, featuring only my personal favorites.
Jack Curley Down is my current favorite song.
This book is bringing me life this week.
I just got a Peloton this week, and I am trying to get back into a fitness routine.
The weather is getting chilly and I have been getting my snuggle on with this blanket.
I have had my eye on this blanket hoodie.
I could use this blanket in my life right about now.
Fashion meets Food 