You know how on those cold winter days, when nothing sounds better than a hot mug of Cocoa.  You would have to heat up the water or milk over a stove or in a microwave.  And if you were making multiple cups for others, you would be at the microwave for what seemed like hours, heating and stirring and heating and stirring.  After all that work of stirring, it was never good enough, there were clumps and it never tasted like the Hot Cocoa you would get in a cafe.  Even though it wasn’t quite the best, we did it any way, those were our options for Hot Chocolate made at home.  But now, lucky for us Hot Chocolate lovers, they have finally invented the Dream Machine and it’s called the Bialletti Hot Chocolate Pot and it’s exclusively from Williams-Sonoma.

Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot

You will absolutely love this Hot Chocolate Pot.  It is so easy to use and makes the best tasting hot chocolate. All you do is add your milk, shaved chocolate or favorite cocoa, and then sit back and watch as the pot creates a perfect blended mixture. The best part is that it creates a rich foam and creamy froth.  So this winter and holiday season you can sit back and enjoy in your own home, great tasting hot chocolate.  What more could you want?

Right now the Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot is on sale, was $99.95 and now $79.99.  So it is a little pricey, but well worth it.  For those frugal shoppers I did find three similar items.  They all got great reviews.

The first one is found at Target.  Called The Bodum Hot Chocolate Frother for $39.99

Bodum Hot Chocolate

The second one is found at Bed Bath & Beyond. Called The Back To Basics Cocoa Latte for $29.99

Back To Basics Cocoa Latte

And the third one is found at Walmart.  Called The Mr. Coffee Cocomotion for $23.84

Mr. Coffe Cocomotion

They all accomplish the same thing which is,  automatically heating and mixing hot chocolate into a frothy, creamy, tasty drink.  So which ever one you choose from, the Bialetti Hot Chocolate Pot or the ones I found at the other retailers, you will be pleasantly happy with your purchase.  Chocolate has never been Hotter!

Image Sources: William-Sonoma, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and flickr.com

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Chocolate is sometimes considered sinful. We are encouraged to stay away from it-resist it and the calories it gives you. Women especially are tempted by it’s sweetness and what it does for the soul, even though it’s not always great for our bodies. Well thanks to Compartes Chocolatier out of Los Angeles, you can be your own advocate and cancel out the sin by doing good when you treat yourself (or others-although personally I have a very difficult time sharing my chocolate) to their yummy chocolate goodness. Purchase their limited edition Chocolates For A Cause and your money will go towards funding the only women’s center in Darfur through Relief International. Compartes has teamed up with Relief Beads to provide this opportunity through chocolate bracelets. So now you can team up with chocolate and indulge in your cravings or satisfy that person on your Christmas list without guilt by doing GOOD!

Images: Officedog.co.uk and Compartes.com

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If you happen to visit San Diego-here is a guide to some restaurants that are sure to be a hit!

Ketchupdaily is an expert on restaurants and fine cuisine. She has worked in the restaurant industry for several years and used to work evaluating restaurants. She has traveled extensively over the last twelve years dining in hundreds of restaurants. She is a connoisseur of gourmet food and has sampled and compared many four and five star restaurants from many regions of the United States.

For a wonderful evening or a night you won’t want to forget, here is her list of places that you don’t want to miss in San Diego.

MARINE ROOM- This is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego with one of the best views of the ocean. This wins many awards and is one of the DiRoNA restaurants selected in San Diego. The cuisine is outstanding and the atmosphere is heavenly. Go on a weekend when they have live music playing or come for breakfast during a high tide and see the waves crash on the windows. This is a must for that special date-you won’t regret it and will wish all meals could be so perfect.

PAMPLEMOUSSE GRILL- The chef, Jeffrey’s credentials are amazing and he lives up to his reputation. Food is always a wonderful and perfect blend of flavors and ingredients. The caviar is incredible and has an unusual presentation. Although the meat and fish selections are sure winners, I have to say the five star vegetarian dish is hands done the best gourmet vegetarian dish in the city. The restaurant is popular year round but especially a favorite during race season where you may find yourself dining along with many celebrities.

TRATTORIA ACQUA- If Martha Stewart had a restaurant in San Diego this would be it. Some seating has ocean views but there is not a bad seat in the whole place. Attention is given to decor down to the littlest details. The food has pleasing innovative approaches to Italian food. You must not miss the Butternut Squash-Amaretto Cookie Ravioli served seasonally in the winter. I am told Cindy Crawford more…

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DIET AND HEALTH SECRETS-GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK-LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT FOOD THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF WHAT YOU EAT!

-Did you know that the skin on a tomato has more nutrients than any other part? That is why scientists say grape tomatoes are even better for you than the larger kind.

-Keep the seeds! You know how people say drinking red wine is good for you? That is due to the antioxidant properties of the seeds found in grapes. They even sell it as a supplement! Eat seeded grapes-you get all the health benefits with none of the negative health consequences from the alcohol intake found in wine.

-Did you know that bananas are called “natures coffee”? Supposedly, eating a banana gives you more energy than many other food options and is healthy too.

-Figs-never liked them when younger but I can’t get enough of them now. They are packed with nutrients and fiber and eating one makes you feel like you are having dessert. When they are in season, we go crazy!

-Eggs-a great, quick and cheap way to get protein. For awhile, they were hard on the egg yolks but know say that they are good for your skin.

-Spicy food-do you know boots your metabolism and helps with your immune system? From ordering spicy food or nibbling on chili peppers, I get an adrenaline rush also. If it is cold, I take a cayenne supplement and it immediately warms me up. It is healthy and a way to keep warm in the winter!

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Some day we might share our famous sister taco recipe. Guarantee you-few people have ever tried them and they are always usually surprised by our unique recipe-almost one of a kind that is a personal sister fave. Other than that, we aren’t always the best cooks. However, we know how to buy good food! Tonight, I am randomly peeking in my fridge to share with you some of current faves that are sure to make your next dinner party a hit! I haven’t shopped for awhile so I will later add others but here are some good ones to get the party started!!!!!!!!

ROSES MOJITO COCKTAIL MIX-Don’t add rum but use club soda instead. Add some sprigs of mint and you have a yummy refreshing drink of lime and mint sure to put a smile on everyone’s faces!

TRADER JOE’S WHOLE WHEAT FETTUCINI-great price and what a treat to have pasta that tastes so good and is healthy, too!

MILTON’S MULTIGRAIN BREAD-Toast it with butter and it is almost as sweet as cookies. So filling and great that all kids and people love it. You can’t go wrong for an all around crowd-pleaser.

SEVEN GRAIN SPROUTED BREAD Ezekial- Ok, this is one the healthy side but boy once you have a slice, you feel so balanced and healthy-it is almost like a drug. The cool thing is all the grains are mentioned in a verse in the Bible so you get a wide variety of whole grains that would be hard to get any other way. It is the bomb for bread!

TRADER JOES BARLEY SOUP-Who even knew Barley tasted so good? We can never get enough and it is one of our fave soups. Kids love it-never will ask for chicken noodle again (no offense) more…

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