Yearly Archives: 2014

It Started with HELLO: Sweet Connections with Lindt HELLO Chocolate!

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By Jodee Weiland

This article is sponsored by Lindt HELLO. Thanks to Lindt HELLO for sponsoring today’s discussion!

Be sure to enter the sweepstakes at the end of this article every day for their chance to win* sweet experiences from Lindt Chocolate.

Most of us know that all of the relationships in our lives, be it friendship, romantic, professional, or otherwise, usually started with a simple “Hello!” Even a new mother will whisper lovingly to her newborn something like, “Hello, my sweet baby!” The important connections we make in life with others, for the most part, are sweet connections. Lindt HELLO Chocolate just made it easier for each of us to make “sweet connections” with those we care about or even with someone new when we want to say “Hello” in a special way! That’s right and here are just a few ideas on how to do that. Remember It Started with HELLO: Sweet Connections with Lindt HELLO Chocolate!

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Our wedding anniversary is coming up next month, and I always like to do a little something special for my husband. Lindt HELLO Chocolate gave me the perfect idea for a sweet connection with the man I love. We both enjoy sipping a fine wine with the sweet flavor of chocolate. It really is delicious together and a great treat for us! So I decided to make him a gift of Lindt HELLO Chocolate and one of our favorite bottles of wine.

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I found a plaque at the store that was created to look somewhat aged and a metal container that went with it well. I put an assortment of the Lindt HELLO Chocolate bars, sticks, and one of the mini-stick bags in the metal container and added a bottle of our favorite wine. With the plaque set behind these items, it will make the perfect way to say “Happy Anniversary!” It surpasses any card and is such a sweet connection for us. By the way, look at the plaque carefully. It says it all: “You are my favorite HELLO!”

https://learnfromyesterday.comThat’s not the only idea I came up with for hip trendy new Lindt HELLO Chocolates. What about for Halloween? Do you have someone special you would like to give a great treat while making a sweet connection? With such a large family and so many good friends, I always have someone I want to make feel special. So why not put on that witches hat and “Surrender the Treat,’’ a Halloween mesh basket filled with Lindt HELLO Chocolate! Anyone would love a great treat like this one!

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But don’t stop there! What about Christmas? How about an oversized coffee mug filled with Lindt HELLO Chocolate and a cute reindeer for that special secret Santa gift you’ll need? Or what about that special person you would love to share a big mug of hot chocolate/coffee and sweet chocolate with on Christmas Eve in front of the fireplace? Buy two mugs and put Lindt Hello Chocolate in both and share! Wouldn’t this be a great way to make a sweet connection over the holidays?

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No matter how you decide to make a sweet connection of your own, Lindt HELLO Chocolate, a hip, trendy brand in premium chocolate, will make it fun. This new collection from Lindt of sinfully delicious premium chocolate is inspired by classic American treats. Say “hello” to the enticing flavors, of the Lindt HELLO collection:

  • Caramel Brownie: Discover the irresistible combination of smooth milk chocolate, hazelnut and caramel brownie filling.
  • Strawberry Cheesecake: Satisfy your cheesecake craving with rich milk chocolate and a light, fluffy strawberry cream cheese filling.
  • Crunchy Nougat: Smooth milk chocolate, now that’s yummy!
  • Cookies & Cream: Chocolate, cookies – and a crunch!  Savor a chocolaty experience like no other, with chocolate chip cookie pieces and cream filling.

Be sure to check out the Lindt HELLO Sweet Connections Sweepstakes for the chance to win some great prizes. Also check out the “It Started with HELLO” web series here on Youtube with new episodes weekly through October 9, 2014. And remember It Started with HELLO: Sweet Connections with Lindt HELLO Chocolate! So enjoy!

Lindt HELLO is the hip, trendy brand in premium chocolate, that inspires connections and conversations everywhere it goes.  Be sure to enter the sweepstakes every day for a chance to win* sweet experiences from Lindt Chocolate.

To enter the sweepstakes, visit the Lindt HELLO Sweet Connections Sweepstakes Landing Page and enter your email address. Entries can be made daily for additional chances to win the below prizes.

Weekly Prizes – Connect with Someone You Love, or Someone New!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (9/24 – 9/30)

  • Enjoy a shopping spree with the girls + yummy Lindt HELLO Chocolate!

Sweet Staycation (10/1 – 10/7)

  • Lindt HELLO treats you to a pampered night in – movies, books + chocolate!

Besties Reunion (10/8 – 10/14)

  • Reconnect with your bestie at the spa for a day + Lindt HELLO chocolate to sweeten the deal.

* No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 years or older (19 in AL or NE and 21 in MS).  Void where prohibited. See Rules for weekly sweepstakes entry periods, prize descriptions, odds and other details. Ends Noon on 10/14/14. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc., One Fine Chocolate Place, Stratham, NH  03885.

Many thanks to Lindt HELLO for sponsoring today’s story, and giving my readers a chance to win really sweet prizes!

Healthy Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce

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By Jodee Weiland

Zucchini spaghetti is a great way to stay healthy and have your “pasta”, too. I love the versatility of zucchini spaghetti and with a veggie spiralizer, it couldn’t be easier. There are several ways to make zucchini spaghetti, but since I bought my veggie spiralizer, I couldn’t imagine making this dish any other way. Since I had some fresh tomatoes to use, I decided to make Healthy Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce for dinner, and it was absolutely delicious and definitely healthy!

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A while back, I found out that you can prepare the zucchini spaghetti with a julienne peeler, a mandoline with a julienne blade, or with a veggie spiralizer type product. I chose the veggie spiralizer type product for a number of reasons after reading reviews and checking prices. The one I chose was at a store that gives 20% discounts with their coupons, so the price was under $25 with tax. Also, the product I chose was made basically the same as a more expensive version at another store and both had similar reviews. Last of all, after looking into it, this product made preparing the zucchini so easy, it cut the time of preparation down tremendously.

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For this dish, I began my preparation the same way I did when I made my Zucchini Spaghetti with Olive Oil, Garlic, and Fresh Tomatoes. I prepared my zucchini and set it aside to drain, while I prepared my tomato basil sauce using my fresh tomatoes from the garden. The recipe is similar to my marinara sauce with a few differences. In this sauce I use the addition of fresh tomatoes, and I eliminate the tomato paste and water, but for the most part, they are very similar. The main thing is my Healthy Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce is awesome, and you will definitely want to have it again.

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Healthy Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce

For zucchini spaghetti:

3 medium zucchini cleaned and skin removed (skin may be left on if preferred)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove chopped
Sea salt

Prepare the zucchini first by peeling it and cutting it into long thin spaghetti like strands with a veggie spiralizer, a julienne peeler, or a mandoline with a julienne blade. Lightly salt the zucchini strands and put them into a colander for about thirty minutes or longer, placing the collander in a large bowl, so the moisture in the zucchini can drain off. Toss and squeeze lightly every once in a while until ready. You will use the olive oil and garlic when you lightly heat the zucchini later.

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For the tomato basil sauce:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 medium onion chopped or sliced
1 teaspoon basil or use 1 tablespoon fresh basil cut up
1/2 teaspoon dried or ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon sugar (some people prefer to use 2 carrots finely shredded or chopped for sweetness)
1 cup pureed fresh tomatoes (puree in a blender or food processor)
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
Freshly grated imported Parmesan Reggiano cheese

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Sauté onions, garlic, basil, and oregano in olive oil and stir together. Then add your fresh tomato puree and the can of crushed or puree tomatoes.  Add in the sugar if you do not use carrots.  If using carrots, sauté the carrots with the onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Let the sauce begin to bubble and then cover the pot lowering the heat to simmer for about 20 minutes or longer, stirring every so often.

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When the sauce is just about ready, drain and squeeze the zucchini spaghetti. Then put the zucchini in your serving bowl or dish, being sure to drain off any excess liquid.  There may be some left, but this will not hurt the flavor of your dish. Last of all, add your sauce to your zucchini and when ready, toss lightly.

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My Healthy Zucchini Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce is so delicious, while definitely healthy! Serve this dish with freshly grated imported Parmesan Reggiano cheese for those who like it, a crusty loaf of bread, and a glass of red wine. Some people think this meal will not be filling, but they are wrong. Not only is it filling, but if you want some frozen yogurt for dessert, you won’t feel the least bit guilty about it. So try this wonderful dish, and enjoy!

Awesome Apple-Delicious Apple Recipes

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By Jodee Weiland

The fall is a great time for apple recipes! Families love to go apple picking in the fall, only to return home and start digging out the favorite family apple recipes to make. My family is no different from everyone else. We, too, loved to take the children apple picking every fall and sure enough, when we arrived home we pulled out our favorite family apple recipes to bake. The one other thing we have done over the years is to add to those apple recipes with new ones we created or found along the way. The Awesome Apple-Delicious Recipes are just a few of our favorites! https://learnfromyesterday.com So if you are looking for some new apple recipes after apple picking, be sure to check out our five favorite family Awesome Apple-Delicious Recipes pictured above. You can find them at the following links for the pictures from right to left as follows:

Apple Strawberry Crumb Cobbler

Apple Cranberry Walnut Pie…Sweet, Juicy, and Delicious!

Apple Walnut Bread…For Apple Picking Time or Just Any Time

Apple Galette, the Versatile French Pastry We All Love to Eat!  

Sweet Juicy Homemade Apple Pie is Perfect for Apple Picking Time!

My Awesome Apple-Delicious Recipes are absolutely wonderful and definitely are our family favorites for apple picking time or any time. These apple recipes are great tasting and so full of wonderful flavor! You won’t be disappointed if you try any one or all of these recipes after your family returns from apple picking or any time of the year. So when you’re looking for a new apple recipe to try, give one or all of these delicious recipes a try, and enjoy!