Best Bite Bought: Cocoa Powder

This is a new weekly blog feature that I'll be writing to point out some of the most delicious and unique foods, snacks, candies and ingredients that are available to buy in almost any city or online.  All of these entries will be based on my humble opinion so don't freak out if you buy something and don't like it.  If you have some kind of food fave that you'd like me to include, just email me or comment me with ideas.

 The first thing I have to post about is the most amazing Cocoa Powder I have ever tried.  First let me tell you that I am a Cocoa Powder fiend.  I put it in yogurt, cottage cheese, coffee as well as sprinkling it on special desserts. I even add it to Nestle Hot Cocoa packets to make them more potent.  My favorite cocoa powder concoction involves 1 container of Fage Greek Yogurt, 1 or 2 tbsp of cocoa powder & 1 tbsp of agave syrup.  This treat is so thick, sweet and it's also low in calories!

So the BEST Cocoa Powder that I bought recently is E. Guittard Cocoa Rouge Cocoa Powder.  I was very pleasantly surprised that this brand doesn't have the typical bitter cocoa powder taste - it almost tastes like regular chocolate.  It's ultra fine, almost airy and it has a deep, red color that looks so pretty on desserts.

It is a little bit more expensive than regular cocoa powder but it's so worth it!  I got mine at Sur La Table, which has a location near my home as well as an online store.  If you are a cocoa powder lover like me, please try this brand of cocoa powder - you'll be a convert, I promise!   

 

Make Art Then Eat It...

I saw these crayons at Lost At E Minor and noticed their bright colors.  Then I read on to find that they are edible!  They're made by Luxirare and their ingredients sound yummy:  fruits, nuts, vegetables, chocolate covered sesame seeds and a marshmallow core.  You can even draw with them!  I wish I had these when I was a kid.

Work in Progress: Cupcake & Peppermint Painting

This new cupcake painting is for Betsy.  She wanted a gift to give to her new husband who she calls, "sweets".  I thought it was a cute idea!  I am going to put something in text on the painting, like Sweets Always.  If you have any good ideas for wording for this painting, let me know!

 Sweets Always - 10x10 oil on canvas

Sweet Tooth Alert: Schwartz's Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

As you can probably tell from my paintings, I have a wicked sweet tooth!  I was feeling under the weather yesterday so I took a time out to watch The Food Network's, Unwrapped, with Marc Summers (of Double Dare fame -woo hoo) and learned about a chocolate covered marshmallow company that looks old school and fantastic! 

Schwartz's "Out of This World Chocolates" specializes in chocolate covered marshmallows.  Schwartz's has been a family business for 70 years and has a secret recipe that has been passed down to achieve their special marshmallow treats.  Here is one that I would LOVE to try:

The Schmore! 

Creative Gift Idea: Mother's Day or Shower

As a Mother's Day gift or for a spring baby shower, I think a cute present would be these customizable throw pillows illustrated with drawings of family members.  You can pick the members of the family, (including pets!), to be printed on the pillow.  This was found at KStudiohome.com.