I wanna...

...hot cup of cocoa with a marshmallow or two.

That's my all time favorite winter song.  I just love to hear my kids sing it in school programs.  Usually, I'm the annoying/dorky mom singing right along with them.

I've been watching my kids drink hot cocoa all winter, and I myself have not had a drop, because of my NO SUGAR thing.  Well...this weekend when I discovered my coco-motion sitting unused way back in the deepest darkest depths of the most awkward to use cupboard (you know the one I'm talking about don't you?), I decided I had had enough (don't you love it when you get to use "had" twice in a row like that?).

I dug that thing out of there and started throwing stuff into it.  You know what I discovered?  Hot cocoa only needs 3, yes that's right, 3 ingredients to be delicious.  *Note: there is an optional 4th ingredient to give it an extra kick.

Here they are:

2 C milk

1/4 C cocoa powder

1 Tbsp splenda

Dash of cinnamon (optional)
Makes 2 servings

Yep, that's all there is to it.  Throw those three things into your coco-motion, and let it whirl.  In about two minutes, you will have the most deliciously rich dark hot cocoa you've ever had.  

Your taste buds will thank you.

My New Toy

My husband gives me the best gifts ever.  He is thoughtful and does his research big time.  His birthday and Christmas are stressful for me trying to keep up.  To which he lovingly reminds me that I am his gift, and that's all he needs.  Still, it seems he gets the raw end of the deal.

This Christmas he did it again. 

After 10 years of  cooking for my crew, I am now the proud owner of a food processor.  You would think I would have one of those toys already.  But the young, naive bride that I was did not think a food processor was worth the cupboard space.  So away it went to goodwill.  I've been kicking myself for years.  

Well, no more kicking.  This one is here to stay.

Let me give you an idea just how awesome this thing is, and how much time I save:

*chopped almonds- 30 seconds

*bread crumbs- 20 seconds

*this dessert crust- 20 seconds

*salad dressing- 5 seconds

*crushed ice- 30 seconds

There are so many more options I can't wait to try.

I love my new toy.