If you are a maple lover, like I am, I encourage you to try Brown Family Farm Pure Maple Syrup. They produce a wide variety of other yummy maple flavored products, as well.

The farm is located in Brattleboro, Vermont. I’ve passed through the area several times and can attest to the fact that it’s a beautiful place to visit.

This Vermont maple syrup gets rave reviews. Its dark amber color and excellent taste makes it the best of the best. If you take the time to do a bit of online comparison shopping, I think you’ll agree that the price is VERY affordable to boot.

The Brown family also makes maple candy (YUM!), pancake mixes, grilling sauces, roasting sauces and crepe mixes. All products are made in small batches to ensure the best taste possible.

There is nothing that compares to the quality of pure Vermont maple syrup. It can be used in SO many recipes… remember, it really isn’t just for pancakes anymore.

If you’d like to try your hand at making your own homemade maple syrup, I previously posted this recipe to help get you started. It won’t totally live up to Brown Family Farm products, but you’ll have the satisfaction of making it yourself. Bon Appetite!

Approximately 3 months ago, I won a coupon for a free jar of Emerald Almonds. Needless to say, I was quite excited because I rarely win anything. It was a good day.

When I received the coupon, in the mail, I was even happier to learn that it could be redeemed for any variety of Emerald Nuts. My first thought was to pick up a jar of cashews.

I finally got around to using the coupon, today. (About time, huh?) I have to tell you that Emerald Brand nuts are some of the best I’ve eaten. I kid you not.

I ended up getting mixed nuts, because that’s all my local Kroger store had on hand. They are fresh, crunchy and have been sprinkled with the perfect amount of salt.

The greatest thing about my canister of Emerald Almonds and other mixed nuts is the fact that it isn’t overwrought with peanuts… like some other brands tend to be. At this point, I can honestly say that I will probably never buy another brand again.

There are several yummy varieties available. They include: Cocoa Roast Almonds, Sea Salt & Pepper Cashews, Raisinberry Nut Trail Mix, Apple Cinnamon Walnuts and many more. On the count of three… everyone say YUM!

I’m not much of a coffee drinker. Honestly I prefer hot cocoa. But, for those of you who can’t get enough and struggle with heartburn and or acid reflux… this post is for you.

Until today, I wasn’t aware that Low Acid Coffee existed. Apparently, it does. I am happy to report that it is available in several flavors and either ground or whole bean.

Hevla, the brand pictured here, refers to their coffee as ‘gentle java’. Rather catchy, I must admit. When you order the product, it comes straight from the roasting plant. This ensures you will receive the freshest product possible.

It’s probably obvious that low acid coffee beans aren’t a product of Mother Nature. The acid is actually reduced during Hevla’s high pressure steam and vacuum process, preformed when the coffee beans are still green. This is a completely natural process that uses no chemicals whatsoever.

Yes, this coffee is more expensive. But anyone who suffers from heartburn or other stomach issues, myself included, will be the first to tell you that the extra cost is worth a pain free meal or beverage break.

If you have noticed a difference, when drinking low acid coffee, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Especially, in regard to the taste.

I’ve had an original Bundt cake pan, for years. There are also several nifty shaped Bundt pans that I WISH I had. So, you’ve probably already pinpointed my fondness for these delicious cakes.

They are pretty much a holiday tradition, at my house. It seems like they are gobbled up faster, every year, regardless of the decided upon flavor. Bundt cake fanatics are a loyal crowd.

I’ve always made this yummy dessert from scratch and really can’t tell you why. Believe me, there have been many instances when I would have appreciated the convenience of a Bundt Cake Mix. Since I’ve run across them again, I’ve already made myself a promise to purchase one when Thanksgiving rolls around.

There are several varieties to choose from including: Sticky Toffee Pudding, Tunnel of Fudge, Caramel Apple Spice, Vanilla Bean, Zesty Lemon, Cinnamon Streusel, Chocolate Decadence and a more traditional brownie mix… great to make in mini Bundt pans.

If you read the reviews on these cake mixes, you will see that folks are raving about them and don’t have issue with the price. (Look at it this way, the mix is MUCH less expensive than ordering a bakery cake.)

If you have had the opportunity to try these mixes, please feel free to tell us what you think. Personally, I can’t wait to try them.

Even though they are far from nutritious, I LOVE ice cream sandwiches. There is a small convenience store, near my house, that sells them. Suffice it to say I’m probably one of their best ‘ice cream buying’ customers.

The problem with that, besides the extra calories I’m consuming, is the price I am paying per sandwich. I would certainly save money, making my own. So… I’m currently in the market for a couple of Ice Cream Sandwich Makers.

Honestly, until now, I never realized that some of these even existed. The shaped ones would make a nifty little gift, for a Mom with younger children.

I found them in cute animal shapes and though the piglet was somewhat appropriate. I found them in geometric shapes and traditional rectangles, as well.

I think I have decided on the style shown above. (I’ve always been a traditional kind of girl.)

This particular ice cream sandwich maker comes complete with a spreader and sandwich cutter. How much easier can it get?

You can use many different things to replace the traditional chocolate wafer… cookies, brownies, graham crackers… the choice is really up to you.

If you happen to own an ice cream maker, like I do, you can make even tastier treats. Can you say YUM!?

There is nothing more comforting than a gooey chocolate bar, right? I don’t know about you, but eating one always takes me back to the carefree days of my childhood.

Believe it or not, the sale of gourmet chocolate is on the rise… even in our faltering economy. Most of us probably can’t afford a new car, right now, but we can still afford quality chocolate now and then.

If you hurry, there is still time to order a Gourmet Easter Basket, for everyone on your gift giving list. There are SO many to choose from, its mind boggling… well, almost.

The ‘Hippity-Hoppity Easter Gift Basket Stack’, pictured here, caught my eye because of the bunny. Isn’t he adorable? (He’s a Gund.)

While technically the candy that fills the polka dot pail isn’t gourmet it certainly traditional. Marshmallow PEEPS, peanut butter eggs, M&M’s and Twizzlers, need I say more?

There are gourmet Easter baskets suitable for every age and both genders, not all of them come complete with a bunny. I’m sure if you take a few minutes to browse our selection, you’ll find the perfect gift.

Since I’m feeling rather nostalgic, I’d love to hear about the Easter basket you remember most from your own childhood. Care to share the details?

It’s that time again… time for Cadbury Crème Eggs. While I’m not entirely fond of the original version, I simply adore the caramel and orange flavors. (Hmmm… I wonder what a mixture of the two would taste like?)

Now for a bit of eggciting history. (Sorry, bad I know, I just couldn’t resist.) The Cadbury Company ‘hatched’ its first creamy egg, in 1923. However, the crème-filled creation we are familiar with today was not introduced until 1971. It actually became an Easter time favorite, in 1975, after being advertised on TV for the first time.

The original eggs are formed as chocolate is poured into half of an egg shaped mold. Each half is then filled with white fondant and finally a bit of yellow fondant to create the yolk. Since fondant is more dense than chocolate, none of these ingredients mix together.

When two halves become a whole, the eggs are cooled until the chocolate is completely set. Finally, they receive their foil wrappers and are shipped to a store near you.

Believe it or not, more than 300 MILLION Cadbury eggs are produced, every year. About 100 million of those are exported.

I just ran across an interesting muffin recipe that calls for a caramel crème egg in the center of each. It leaves me wondering just HOW you eat yours?

Since Valentine’s Day is almost here, I wanted to mention one of my favorite treats, Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Telling you that I love this confection is a HUGE understatement.

It all started when the Terry family opened their chocolate factory in Clementhorpe, York England in 1886. At the time, they saw real potential in regard to the popularity of chocolate.

To tell the truth, this Chocolate Orange and I go way back. Receiving one in my stocking was a holiday tradition, all through my growing up years. Whenever I eat one, it transports me back to those glorious times.

For those who have never had the pleasure of eating a Terry’s Chocolate Orange, it is truly a FUN candy. To eat it properly you ‘whack’ it on a hard surface (such as a table) and it magically separates in 20 orange-like sections. How cool is that?

This chocolate treat was introduced in 1949. It was actually produced after the chocolate apple, which came to be in 1926 and was discontinued in 1954.

Terry’s Chocolate Orange is available in, both, milk and dark chocolate varieties. The same creamy chocolate and orange goodness is available in bar and single segment form, as well.

Last but not least… Terry’s White Chocolate ‘Snowball’ is a much anticipated holiday treat.

If you’ve never experienced the taste of Toblerone chocolate, you don’t know what you’re missing. Yes, it’s pricier than the Hershey bar you can pick up at the corner store… but well worth the extra investment.

It all began, in 1867, when Jean Tobler opened a specialty chocolate shop in Bern Switzerland. Due to overwhelming demand for his delicious creations, he opened a factory in 1899… and the rest you might say is history.

The Toblerone chocolate bar is quite unique in the fact that its segments are triangular in shape and is flavored with honey and almond nougat. These triangles represent the Matterhorn, in the Swiss Alps. The weight of the chocolate bar dictates the number of ‘peaks’ it contains.

The logo has changed several times, but the taste of Toblerone chocolate has always remained constant. Only the best ingredients are used in the manufacture of this decadent treat.

Through the years, additional varieties have been produced. They include white chocolate bars, bittersweet chocolate bars and Toblerone minis. (Because of regional preferences, not all varieties are available in all countries.)

With Valentine’s Day looming near, there is no better time to consider purchasing some Toblerone chocolate for your sweetie! The variety pack is an excellent choice for those who deserve to have it all.

If you listen closely, you can hear the hum of the upcoming Super Bowl in the air. That being said there is no better time to start planning your party or game day menu. (Remember, you don’t have to throw a party in order to eat like a king.)

Let’s face it; hot wings are a Super Bowl tradition. They are relatively inexpensive to make, when compared to other dishes and can be prepared in countless ways. The secret is in the sauce!

This year, my husband wants to try Smokin’ Joe Jones Hot Wing BBQ Sauce. Needless to say, he likes it HOT.

This particular brand of sauce is a 60 year old family secret. It’s loaded with tasty ingredients including tomatoes, garlic, wild honey, onions and carefully selected herbs and spices.

The hot variety (shown in picture) contains additional cayenne and black peppers, for that extra fiery zing. It can be used as a basted-on BBQ sauce, dipping sauce, tenderizer or marinade.

Smokin’ Joe Jones hot sauce is very versatile, delicious on pork, chicken, steak and even fish.

You will be happy to note that it contains no fat, cholesterol or MSG. It is low sodium and gluten free, as well.